View report page

144
all children at about the age of 8 years. We find a
considerable number of eye defects in this age group
and the results achieved make the extra work well
worth while. All children with a defect found are
followed up at home; the situation is explained to the
mother and, if wished, referral form to the specialist
is signed at this visit. "
The above scheme has also been found to be of benefit
in the follow-up of those cases found at routine medical
inspection to be "unsatisfactory", for the Health Visitor
has the opportunity of discussing the condition with Head
Teachers and in many cases school meals are recommended.
All "unsatisfactory" cases are re-examined by the
school medical officer. In many cases nutriments are supplied
or recommended and the case seen again at varying periods
of one, three or six months or less frequently on the decision
of the doctor.
It will be appreciated that in quite a number of such
cases, because of environmental factors, no treatment or
action is likely to bring forth a completely "satisfactory"
condition and only the assistance most suited to the needs
can be offered.
Chiropody. - In 1960 chiropody clinics will be established
under Local Authority control in Ilford and when
fully developed the necessity of referring cases privately
or unnecessarily to hospitals should be deviated.
Dental Health. - Once again Mrs. J.Thurston, Essex
County Dental Hygienist, was seconded to the Ilford area
and she reports on her visit as follows:-
"During the months of March, April, May and
June of this year I gave sixteen lectures on dental
health in seven Ilford schools. They were well received
on the whole, the response from staff and
pupils being noticeably better in certain schools. The
film 'Gateway to Health' an American production,
was well received at all schools with one exception,
where it was the considered opinion of the staff
present, that the film shown on previous occasions
'Let's Keep our Teeth' was a more interesting and
informative aid and had greater appeal since it was
an English production and more easily understood