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105
they have done, improvements in the heights and weights of present-day
children as contrasted with children of the same ages years ago, not
enough use is made of them to warrant the expenditure of time incurred,
time which, particularly these days of shortage of nursing staff, might
well be devoted more profitably. It was decided, therefore, that at least
for the time being, the practice be discontinued.
When the difficulties brought about by the war are somewhat
lessened, it is hoped that it might then be possible for all children to be
weighed not once in three years, for the presumed purpose of obtaining
records, but three times in the one year in the interests of the child, with
much more frequent recording of the weight of the child who is not progressing.
2. Minor Ailment Clinics.
The treatment of minor ailments was one of the earliest of the activities
of the school medical services, most authorities providing these
clinics, at some of which medical officers would be present as well as
school nurses.
At the time of taking over, a weekly clinic was held in four separate
buildings in the district. It has since been found possible to open a clinic
at another building, while at two of the clinics the school nurses attend
on other mornings as well. It is anticipated that increasing attendances
of children will necessitate more frequent attendances by the nursing
and medical staff. As long as a doctor can attend only the once a week,
it will remain impossible to deal with many classes of patient who must
therefore, under to-dav's arrangements, be referred to their own practitioners,
as they should be seen within the week. At one time treatment
had to be limited to those classed as minor ailments, including
such conditions as impetigo and otorrhoea, the prescribing or dispensing
of medicine being banned. It would seem, at least until the national
medical service is introduced, that it is contemplated there will be a
marked increase in the clinic activities, and that full treatment, including
the prescribing and even dispensing of medicines, can be undertaken.
Apart from providing the treatment of children suffering from
minor ailments, these clinics serve a most useful purpose as providing
a place where children can be kept under regular observation, or where
a child can be seen who needs more detailed examination than could be
afforded him at the routine medical inspection at the school.
Maternity and child welfare sessions are held at about a dozen
premises, in an endeavour so to place them that mothers do not need to
travel more than half a mile, or at the outside three-quarters of a mile,
to reach them. It is less necessary to provide school clinics at as many
sites, and economy of staff will probably necessitate their being limited
for a while to the smaller number of buildings, namely the clinics at
Broadway, Elmwood Avenue, Alexandra Avenue, Honeypot Lane, the
Church Hall at Love Lane, Pinner, and the Chandos Pavilion.
3. Dental Treatment.
Treatment is provided at five premises in the district, namely Elmwood
Avenue Clinic, Alexandra Avenue Clinic, 76, Marlborough Hill,