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38
INTRODUCTION—SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
This is my 20th Annual Report as your School Medical
Officer, and it is again pleasing to note that, in spite of the war
years and all the inconvenience caused by the enemy, we have
been able to maintain the services to the child at its pre-war
level.
1944 was not without its difficulties, not the least of which
was the impending changes indicated in the Education Act of
that year. It was during 1944 that Bromley became an evacuation
area, and the loss of school population is reflected in the
statistics for the year ; but, nevertheless, no less than 64% of
the children passed through the clinic service provided by the
Local Authority, an indirect indication of the value of the
services and of trust placed in the School Medical Services by
the parents. These facts are pleasing, and reflect much credit
to the Committee who have given so much time and thought to
the development of the Medical Services throughout the past
20 years.
The services were not limited to the elementary school
child, but were made available and were used by the child under
5 years and to the necessitous children of the county secondary
schools.
The development of Dental Treatment during the year is
indicated in the text of the School Dental Officer's report, which
follows in Section B.
51% of children received meals in School, and 81% milk.
Except for the operative treatment at Tonsils and Adenoids
Clinic, which was suspended during the war, the appointment
of a Consultant Psychologist, which, owing to shortage of
medical personnel, has had to be postponed, and the establishment
of a special speech clinic, the services for the school child
are comprehensive and complete. What has been provided for
the school child has been provided for the child of pre-school
years.
Dr. Orgler has carried his investigation in nutrition of the
war years to the intermediate group. This shows that, so far
as the boys intermediate group is concerned, there is a progres
sive increase in weight and height as compared with the
immediate pre-war years. In the case of the girls, their position
is stationary, and no deterioration.
Finally, should it become necessary under the Education
Act for me to pass on the administration of School Medical