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93
Statistics show that only a very small proportion of the children
entering school have attended the Child Welfare Centres and
that a still smaller number have undergone a systematic medical
examination. On the other hand, the percentage of parents
attending the routine medical inspection of " entrants " to school
life has been steadily increasing, and in 1929 nearly 80 per cent. of
the children examined in the Infants Departments were accompanied
by their parents.
There is no doubt that a policy which offered the medical
examination of children under school age at the time of routine
medical inspection in the schools, would be met by a ready response
and would tend to solve the difficulty under review. The School
Medical Service is fully equipped for dealing with these children,
and it is only administrative and legislative difficulties which stand
in the way of the adoption and efficient performance of a scheme
devised along these lines.
3. THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE IN
RELATION TO PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
School Hygiene.
During the year 1929 a complete survey of the sanitary
and hygienic conditions pertaining to all the schools of the
Authority has been carried out. Reports upon matters requiring
attention have been submitted month by month to the Committee
In most instances my recommendations have received careful consideration,
and an endeavour has been made to remedy defects
where possible, but a good deal remains to be done in connection
with improvements in lighting, heating, ventilation and overcrowding
of certain classrooms, and in regard to the provision of
sufficient and satisfactory sanitary and cloakroom accommodation.
4. MEDICAL INSPECTION.
The following is a synopsis of School Medical Work for the
year 1929. The figures for the year 1925 to 1928 are also given
for comparison :—