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37
and physical likeness of the child to Father and Mother
and comparison with other children in the family, (3)
special medical examination into the defects existing.
I regret to say that the survey was unfortunately,
interfered with by the evacuation of many children,
and by lack of time available to the staff for the first
investigation. The following, however, are the generalities
of the survey as far as it went:—
7 yrs.
10 yrs.
13 yrs.
No. of children surveyed
576
496
336
Average height
46ins.
54½ ins.
62ins.
Children "selected"
19
43
14
Average height
45½ins.
51¾ ins.
56¾ins.
Average weight
48½lbs.
60lbs.
72½1bs.
"Malnutrition" (total)
5
4
2
,, (familial) 111
,, (environmental) 1 1 —
,, (illness) 2 11
,, (underfeeding) 1 1 —
No evidence Malnutrition 14 39 12
It is of some interest to note that in the opinion of
the Medical Officers examining the selected children,
only two appeared not to receive sufficient food, one
owing to comparative poverty and one to general mismanagement
of home affairs.
Of the 76 cases "selected," the Head Teacher's
report was not satisfactory on the child's behaviour anil
progress at school in 51 cases, and of these:
20 showed irregular school attendance.
16 were unpopular with other children.
5 indicated mental backwardness.
The Health visitors' reports on the 76 cases selected
showed that more than 90 per cent, came from working
class families.
12 showed chronic ill-health of the Mother.
8 showed chronic ill-health of the Father.
20 showed family income below average of £2 15s.
and poor home conditions.