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The number of individual children found unclean during 1956
was 97, i.e. a percentage of 0.4 of the number of children on the
roll. This is a new low record and compares very favourably with
some areas where it is understood up to 15 per cent. of children are
involved. The unclean children form the hard core of uncleanliness
still left in the Borough and the continuation of even this comparative
handful of unclean children is a matter for great regret
and a reflection on the few dirty homes which continue to exist in
spite of all the efforts of the social services.
The Superintendent School Nurse and Health Visitor reports
as follows :—
"The low percentage of uncleanliness in the Borough is worth
noting in relation to that of the country as a whole. The School
Nurses are to be commended in this sphere of their work. Their
close followup of cases and visits to the parents to advise and help
have contributed greatly towards this achievement. The hard
core of uncleanliness has now been reached."
(c) Minor Ailments and Skin Defects.—The following was the
number of skin defects found to require treatment or observation:—
Treatment Observation
Ringworm—Head 1 —
Body — —
Scabies — —
Impetigo 1
Other skin disease 230 116
(d) Visual Defects and External Eye Defects.—The number
of patients requiring treatment or observation was as follows:—
Treatment Observation
Visual Defects 792 186
Squint 94 28
External Eye Diseases 81 32
Colour Vision Testing. — Testing is carried out with the
Ishihara test cards by the School Nurse at the periodic medical
inspections for the leaver age group. Any doubtful case is reported
to the School Medical Officer.
(e) Nose and Throat Defects.—The number of patients
requiring treatment or observation was as follows:—