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(g) Convalescent Home Treatment.—131 children were sent
away for convalescence during 1952. There were 10 children remaining
in convalescent homes and hospital schools on December
31st, 1952.
(h) Tuberculosis.— The number of school children examined
for the first time during the year was 99 boys and 91 girls, of whom
23 boys and 18 girls were referred by the school medical staff, and
76 boys and 73 girls by private practitioners. 158 children were
examined as contacts.
PROTECTION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AGAINST
TUBERCULOSIS.
1. Chest X-ray Examination of Teachers on Appointment.
The position in regard to this matter was set out in the report
for last year, including the reasons leading to the cessation of the
former practice of requiring all newly appointed staff (except
clerical) to undergo a chest X-ray examination.
Although the local Chest Clinic has been equipped with an
Odelca miniature X-ray apparatus it has so far not proved possible
for staff to be referred as a routine.
Instead, every endeavour has been made to refer staff for
chest X-ray examination to the Mobile Mass Radiography Unit
and the static unit at Finsbury but the difficulties in such an arrangement
are obvious when compared with local facilities.
Unfortunately, travelling expenses have to be borne by the persons
concerned.
Every endeavour will be made during 1953 to operate the recommendations
of Ministry of Education Circular No. 248 in regard
to the initial and annual chest X-ray of all staff concerned with
groups of children.
2. B.C.G. Immunisation.
The Anti-Tuberculosis Vaccine Trials of the Medical Research
Council continued with success, and preliminary results show a
good response in regard to re-attendances even after school leaving.
There is also an apparent maintenance of the tuberculin positive
conversion which it is hoped indicates protection. The statistics
for 1952 were as follows: —
Slimmer Leavers, 1952.—Admitted in their penultimate Term at
school: —
No. of school leavers 440
No. of acceptances 268
Percentages of acceptances 61.0
No. attending first test 243
Total positive to OT 1/3000 and 1/100 101
Total inoculated BCG 48
No. of controls 66