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Of these 234 children, 135 had been previously weighed on
September 22nd and 125 had gained weight (but not necessarily
more than the expected average), 4 remained the same and 6 had
lost weight (½, 1½, 3, 6½, 10 and 11½ lbs.) A special examination
was offered to the parents in respect of these 6 children.
It was suggested to your Committee that the state of a child's
nutrition could not be adequately assessed by comparison with any
age/height/weight table, and that it would probably be better to
deal with the problem by requesting Head Teachers to refer all
cases of suspected malnutrition for special examination at the
Clinics. This procedure would afford opportunity to examine
each patient in detail.
It is a matter of regret that there is no general agreement as
to an easily applied standard for the assessment of nutrition and
that there is considerable variation between the various age/
height/weight scales in use.
A batch of 40 medical inspection cards of 3rd age group boys
(i.e., aged 12 years) selected at random, showed that 26 boys
were below the appropriate weight on the age/height/weight
scale. A special visit was then paid to the school and seven of
these children who were from 5 to 9 lbs. below the average
weight for their height and age were stripped and examined.
Only one case was suggestive of malnutrition and this boy had a
ricketty chest. All were children tall for their age, two of the
fathers were unemployed.
further reference to the question of malnutrition and debility
is made under the section dealing with Convalescent Home
Treatment (i.e., the Priors Croft report).
(b) Uncleanliness.— No children were cleansed under arrangements
by your Committee, nor were any legal proceedings taken.

The reduction in the total number of examinations is due to
the arrangements now in operation at the suggestion of the