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98
Conclusion.
Without a close study of the statistics in the
appendix, one is not able to visualise the detail of the
work of the School Medical Service, the interest the
work creates and the vast possibilities for research in
the physiology of the growing child. One regrets the
lack of time more than the lack of money for its adequate
development.
There is much criticism of the service levied by
those who misunderstand the work and see it only from
its fringe. We do not pauperise the people by giving
more than we receive, and if one must look at the matter
from the financial aspect, it is noteworthy to record that
£383 was in 1931 received by the Education Committee
from parents in payment for services rendered to the
children through the School Clinic. This problem of
finance is not easily settled by the passing of a few
shillings into the coffers of the State, but as I stated in
the introduction rather to what extent treatment should
be given to the individual at the expense of the community
as a whole. But we are faced with this fact,
if the School Medical Service does not treat, there is no
existing service that can adequately fill its place, and
that until the child lives a physiologically healthy life
in a health-giving environment, treatment of disease will
become necessary. As medical services at present exist
the child can be placed under two categories, those so
ill that they required domiciliary treatment by the
private practitioner, and those who are defective and
suffer from minor ailments who come under treatment
or supervision of the out-patients departments of hospitals
or at school clinics of the local authorities. The
bringing of these two categories together is no easy
matter; the general practitioner cannot afford to treat
except at a fee which the people are themselves unable
to pay, nor are local authorities prepared to pay the scale
of fees of a part-time medical staff when a full-time
staff is far more economical.
I cannot end this report without a special reference
to the keen work of each and all the members of the
staff of the School Medical Service, to the Head Teachers
for their co-operation and help, and finally to the ladies
of the Care Committee who give so much valuable time
and service to the work of the various clinics.