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109
Dr. D. J. Gordon-Smith, School Medical Officer, became a transferred
officer to the Forest Division, on 20th April, and Dr. W. H. Toms was
appointed on 4th August. A further appointment was made on 28th September
1964, when Dr. E. Kilsby commenced duties as a School Medical Officer.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.- At the commencement of 1964, two
scarlet fever cases were reported at Kennylands Camp School and during
the month of February the sick bay facilities were fully utilised following
outbreaks of a throat infection. Prior to the transfer to the County Health
Department of the administration of both Camp Schools, provision was
made for the expenditure of £632 towards new sick bay equipment at
Kennylands.
In Ilford there were no serious outbreaks of any infectious diseases
but during January and February the incidence of mumps rose throughout
schools in the area.
CHIROPODY CLINICS.- It has not yet been possible to offer this
service to school children, although it is envisaged that such treatment
will be made available by Redbridge.
NEW AND ORIGINAL WORK.— During the year, Mr. E. B. Hodgson,
full-time Dental Officer, carried out a comprehensive programme of Dental
Health Education in schools, and for the younger audiences this created a
wide appeal.
A further inducement to dental care was made by the issue of toothbrushes
within the Dental Clinics.
In the summer, a mobile unit concerned with the campaign against
cigarette smoking, and sponsored by the Central Council for Health Education
and the Ministry, visited six schools within the area, and was
generally well received. In addition to this, both Dr. Gordon-Smith and
Dr. Taylor continued to lecture on the subject of Smoking and Lung Cancer
to groups in schools, illustrating the subject by films, film strips and
other visual aids.
A notable event within the area was the opening of the Ethel Davis
School on 9th January, 1964. It is considered to be amongst the most
up-to-date of such schools and has a Nursery Section and a Hydrotherapy
Unit. A more extensive report on this special school is made by the
Medical Officer in charge, and this appears elsewhere.