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35
The number of School children on the Registers shows a yearly
decline, but a general improvement in physique and general well
being, as shewn on page 40, is apparent.
You will probably notice that the numbers of children examined
in the Code and other Groups were less than in 1923, but the obvious
inference must not be drawn, for all the children due for Medical
Inspection were seen by the doctors.
To ensure this most of the Schools were re-visited to "pick-up"
those absent at the routine inspections and to "survey" those
who had previously objected to medical examination.
The number medically examined was 6,138 or 891 less than
apparently might have been expected.
The smaller number is accounted for by the decreasing number
of "Entrants" and "Intermediates" in our Schools during the
past few years and the change of procedure in selecting those due
for Medical Inspection as explained in the 1922 report.
The defects found on Medical Inspection and their rate to
children examined were very similar to those of previous years
and on parallel lines with other Districts of like populations.
Every effort was made by way of "following up" and, for the
more serious defects of vision and unhealthy conditions of nose
and throat, good results were obtained.
Most of the Nurses' time spent in visiting parents to effect
dental treatment for children over 8 years of age was wasted, and
until a fuller and more adequate dental service is provided by
your Authority no better results may be expected.
During the year I examined 61 children reported to me as probably
mentally deficient. Eleven of these were dull and backward
from various causes, 16 were certified for the Special School, one
was an imbecile, and the remainder were to be re-examined.
The number of elementary School children deemed to be Mentally
deficient varies from .8 to .5 per cent.—the latter figure is
based on reports of School Medical Officers.
Taking the smaller figure we should have in the Special School
at least 110 children, and not 62 as we have at present.
In this connection the following extract from a report of the
Head Teacher of the Special School is of interest:—
"In days gone by many of the Scholars were low grade
M.D's. but happily now most of them are high grades and
many only retarded."