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47
GENERAL SURVEY
OF THE
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE
The Board of Education, Form 6 M, desires that the Reports for 1944
might be as brief as possible, and the following is the information ivhich the
Board particularly ask for.
(a) Nutrition.
The summary of heights and weights over 10 years which is printed at the
end of this Report in Table VI A. and B. shows no appreciable change.
I have added the heights and weights of the children at the Camp Schools
for the past 5 years for comparative purposes. (Table VI C) .
(b) Incidence of Pediculosis and Scabies.
(i) Pediculosis.—This shows a slight increase on last year, 36 children
being found to be infected with living hair vermin as against 25 in 1943, 63 in
1942, 36 in 1941 and 10 in 1940.
(ii) Scabies.—This shows a decrease, 128 cases (26 from routine medical
inspection) being seen at the Minor Ailment Clinics, as compared with 217 in
1943, 374 in 1942, 109 in 1941 and 25 in 1940. In addition to the 128,
2 cases were treated privately. There was no particular incidence in any one
School.
(c) Secondary Schools.
Medical and Dental Inspection and Treatment continued during the
year. For particulars, see Tables on pages 22, 23 and 24.
(d) Evacuation of Unaccompanied School Children.
On Saturday, 8th July, the Director informed me that the Government
had decided to evacuate children again and I was able to obtain the
assistance of eight local practitioners who examined 914 children on Monday,
10th July.
During the period 2nd July to 7th September, 2,394 school children
were examined, in addition 1,001 children under 5 years of age, and 886
mothers, were examined prior to evacuation.
Changes in Staff.—(a) Medical.—Mr. C. Keogh, F.R.C.S., Ear, Nose
and Throat Surgeon, resigned on the 12th May, and Mr. W. Ibbotson,
F.R.C.S., commenced on the 14th August. Mrs. G. M. Shalders terminated
duties as Temporary Assistant Dental Surgeon on the 2nd September, and
Mr. E. V. Haigh commenced on the 1st September as Part-time Dental
Surgeon and as Full-time Surgeon on 1st February, 1945.
(6) Health Visitors and School Nurses.—Miss I. Alderson terminated her
appointment on the 19th August. Miss M. Irons commenced on the 3rd
January, Miss N. M. Le Maitre on the 15th May, Miss E. du Randt on the
1st June, and Mrs. C. H. Hughman on the 18th September.
School Premises.—There are 26 schools, with 47 departments, 12,155
children were actually on the rolls on 19th December, 1944, as compared
with 14,944 in December, 1943.
The number of children in average attendance at school for the year
ended 19th December, 1944=9,692.
On the 19th December, 1944, 4,225 children were in reception areas
evacuated under the Government Evacuation Scheme (including Mossford
School Groups and three Camp Schools) and there were approximately
2,000 private evacuees.