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C. Audiometric Surveys
Group testing of the hearing of children in their last year at
primary school has continued during the year. 1,797 were tested and of
these 121 were referred for further investigation* Of 354 who failed the
first test, 233 passed on an immediate re-test, indicating that the failure
was due to some cause other than a defect of hearing.
Details of cases referred for examination by the specialist are Included
in the report of the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic.
D. Cleanliness Inspections
Health visitors attend every school once in each term in order to
examine the children for cleanliness and infestation. 41,392 such
examinations were carried out during the year, and as a result 608 were
found to be harbouring nits or head lice. The Infestation rate of 1.4%
compares favourably with that in some other areas, but at the same time
warns against complacency.
The health visitors undertook the task of personal instruction of the
parent in the-necessary hygienic measures for the eradication of head lice
and nits and the prevention of spread. If needed all infested members of
the same family were given the necessary medicaments and instructions and
only on rare occasions was full co-operation not achieved.
The sanitary inspectors carried out such measures of disinfestation
in the home that were occasionally indicated, and sterilization of clothing
and bed linen etc. is done in a steam disinfector at very small cost.
No prosecution or threat of salutory action has been necessary and it
has been found to be uneconomic to maintain a cleansing centre.
SCHOOL HEALTH CLINICS
Minor Ailment Clinics
These clinics remain as valuable assets to the School Health Service*
In addition to the function of giving treatment to numerous minor ailments,
preliminary diagnosis of a variety of more serious conditions is often
made and referral to hospital or specialist clinic is then undertaken*
There has been a marked fall in attendance at these clinics which
might indicate an all-round improvement in physique and resistance to
illness in the rising generat-ion. School meals, school milk and improved
hygiene in a number of schools, together with full employment and the
benefits of the Welfare State to the working classes, may also be contributory
factors to an all-round improvement in the nutrition of the
children* These clinics can be regarded as the 'out-patient departments'
of the School Health Service, and the more experienced the doctors and
health visitors who serve them, the greater the value to the scholars and
the community.
Total attendances at School (Minor Ailment) Clinics during 1952 were
as followss:-
Central (Town Hall Annexe) 4,727
Manor Park (Church Road) 3,141
North Woolwich (Fernhill St. Baths) 197
Roman Manor (Community Centre) 263
Total 8,328