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78
SPECIAL INSPECTIONS.
(See Tables I B, II A, cols. 4 and 5, III, Group I and Table VIII.)
During the past year 3,159 cases have come under medical
supervision, necessitating 5,707 medical examinations.
87 cases requiring special investigation or certification were
referred for examination at the Municipal Offices.
186 cases were referred to Farnborough Hospital for Pediatricians'
and other specialists' advice and treatment, and I would
again express my appreciation of the help given by the Pediatric
Unit at this Hospital, especially by Dr. Hackwood, Dr. Leys, Dr.
Gilcrist and Mr. Lipscombe, the ear, nose and throat consultant.
DENTAL INSPECTION.
Mr. P. D. B. Mayo reports as follows:—
"This has been a very difficult year for the Dental Department.
"It has not been possible to do any school inspections; all
treatment has had to be on an emergency basis to cover the
enormous numbers dependent on the service. Despite the many
handicaps, it has been possible to continue an Orthodontic
Service for essential cases and to maintain the Ante-natal and
Child Welfare Service.
"Special mention must be made of the resignation of Mr.
Ordish in July last. He had served the Clinic for thirty years,
and his departure is a great loss.
"In October we welcomed Mr. King (whole-time) and Mr.
Russell Edey (part-time).
"It is a melancholy thought, after last year's encouraging
report, that under the existing conditions it is certain that there
will be no school inspections for a considerable time and that
any preventive work will have to be confined to specific age
groups."
VERMIN AND UNCLEANLINESS INSPECTION.
(See Table V.)
15,573 routine inspections were carried out by the School
Nurses during the year. 35 children, or .224%, were found to be
infested (.184% for 1948). In addition, 240 children showed
minor evidence of uncleanliness.
Instructions and advice are given to the parents at the Minor
Ailments Clinic. What at one time, not so many years ago, was
a major problem at school is now, as indicated above, a minor
matter.
There have been no cases for legal action.