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41
GENERAL SURVEY
OF THE
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE
The Board of Education, Form 6 M, desires that the Reports for 1941
might be as brief as possible, and the following is the information which the
Board particularly ask for.
(a) Changes in the Staff of the Service. (See Staff).
(b) Nutrition.
This shows no appreciable change, and attention is called to the summary
of heights and weights over 10 years which is printed at the end of this Report.
(c) Incidence of Pediculosis and Scabies.
(i) pediculosis.—This shows an increase over 1940, 36 children being
found, to be infected with living vermin as against 10.
(ii) Scabies.—This also shows an increase, 109 cases (43 from routine
medical inspection, 6 being Oibraltarians) being seen at the Minor Ailment
Clinics, as compared with 25 in 1940. In addition to the 109, 8 casts were
treated privately. The treatment of cases at the Clinics is the issuing of the
ointment of potassium poly sulphide, with printed instructions, and usually
it is found that the cases are ready to return to school in a few days. Cases
which cannot be so treated are offered admission to a cubicle ward in the Isolation
Hospital. The homes of all cases of scabies are visited by the Sanitary Inspector,
and disinfection is offered.
(d) Details of the Provision of Meals and Milk for School Children.
Given in the body of the Report.
Changes in Staff.—(a) Dental Surgeons.—Mrs. G. M. Shalders
commenced duties as Assistant Dental Surgeon on 17th February. Miss
Richardson resigned on 11th January.
(6) Health Visitors and School Nurses.—Miss E. Thomas terminated
her appointment on 21st January, and Miss G. M. Gardiner on 28th
February. Miss M. Graham commenced duties on 11th August.
School Premises.—There are 23 schools, with 37 departments, 12,299
children were actually on the rolls on 12th December, 1941, as compared
with 9,420 in December, 1940.
The number of children in average attendance at school for the year
ended 19th December, 1941 = 8,737.
On the 12th December, 1941, 2,717 children were in reception areas
evacuated under the Government Evacuation Scheme and there were
approximately 4,000 private evacuees.
The Sanitary Inspectors have paid the usual monthly visits to the
elementary schools (1) to enquire as to the milk supplies, (2) to inspect the
sanitary arrangements. 290 visits have been made during the year.
Medical Inspection.—In accordance with the Board's Circular, 1523,
dated the 21st August, 1940, a rapid survey of all the children in the schools
was carried out during each term of the year, 22,177 examinations were
made, 205 were recommended for special treatment and 335 for supplementary
nourishment; in addition a full routine medical examination is made of all
the following children seen at each survey:—