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Green by the provision of free meals, free milk and cod-liver oil,
and when due to effects of illness it can be dealt with by sending the
child to a convalescent home. It is more difficult, however, to deal
with the poorly nourished child whose condition is due to careless
feeding habits, poor discipline in the home, and inadequate hours
of rest.
I have remarked in previous reports on the very great importance
which all interested in nutrition attribute to the supply of milk
to the growing child, and I am glad to be able to report that very
considerable advantage continues to be taken of the provision of a
regular supply of milk to school children at half-price by the Milk
Marketing Board. Well over 50 per cent. of the elementary children
in Wood Green avail themselves of this very excellent provision,
and in addition a considerable number have a free supply throughout
the year on medical grounds. This regular supply of milk is bound
to have a very beneficial effect on the nutrition of the children
generally, and for my own part I would like to see every child in our
schools, no matter what his home circumstances, provided with
milk at school every day throughout his school life. The daily
supply of milk at school should not, however, take the place of but
should be in addition to the regular supply of milk at home.
(b) Cleanliness.
The standard of cleanliness among the children remains very
high, and reflects great credit on the vast majority of the parents.
The schools are visited regularly by the school nurses for the purpose
of carrying out routine inspections of the children for cleanliness.
The number of individual inspections of children made during the
year was over 38,000, and the number of exclusions made on account
of verminous conditions was only 175. As in many cases the same
children were excluded on more than one occasion it will be realised
that the actual number of offenders was considerably less than this
number.
(c) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.
One hundred and twenty children were referred for treatment on
account of minor ailments, these including various skin conditions,
minor injuries and external diseases of the ears and eyes. Some of
these children were treated privately or at hospital, but the great
majority received treatment at the School Clinic.
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