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In some cases it was possible, at the request of parents,
to demonstrate the defect to them, such as wax in
ears, enlarged tonsils, etc. This convinced the parents and
made them more willing to have the defect attended to. The
average time taken in the examinations per child was 4.88
minutes. This figure excludes the time wasted in getting
the room, cards and children ready for inspection, but includes
the time taken in testing vision, weighing and
measuring, and advising and addressing parents.
CONDITION OF THE SCHOOL CHILDREN AS
REVEALED BY MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Clothing.—This is carefully examined as to quality,
sufficiency and cleanliness. The condition found on inspection
can hardly be called the normal condition of the clothing,
owing to the notice given beforehand to the parents. The
child usually has on its best clothes and newly-washed body
linen. In the case of some of the less fortunate children, the
clothing is even sometimes borrowed, and the child may have
on more clothing for the occasion than hygiene necessitates.
Even allowing for these circumstances, no less than .28 per
cent. of the children examined were found to be wearing
clothing that was considered to be below the standard of the
well-clothed child. In four cases the clothing was of such a
nature as to be very injurious to the child's health, and
notice was sent to the parents,. The principal defects in
children's clothing noted were :-—
(a) Substitution of Flannelette for the very necessary
Flannel or Wool.—The flannelette, although cheaper to buy,
is not really economical, as it wears away rapidly. It has
also the disadvantage of being inflammable, and, worst of all,
it has little capacity for retaining the heat of the body.
(b) Unequal Distribution of the Clothing over the Body.
—This was specially noticed in many girls; the upper part of
the body being well clothed, but the lower extremities being
only clothed in flannelette or cotton with stockings. Many