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The School Medical Service in relation to Public
Elementary Schools.
School Hygiene:-The general arrangements of the
schools in regard to lighting, ventilation, and sanitation, are
fairly satisfactory. Alterations are carried out whenever
opportunity arises or permits, more especially in regard to
school furnishings and equipment.
During the year, no large structural alterations to schools
were made. New lighting by gas lamps was installed in the
Central Schools, and in one classroom of Haydon's Road Boys
School the experiment of heating by electric radiators has been
tried. In two classrooms of the Cottenham Park School
(temporary) better heating by anthracite stoves has been introduced.
In Dundonald Road Girls' School the old trough water
closets with automatic flush have been replaced by up-to-date
pedestal closets with individual flush. Other minor improvements
have been made, but in no school are there any arrangements
for drying overcoats and boots of scholars in wet weather.
This important point in safeguarding the health of the
children should be remedied as soon as opportunity arises, and
some such arrangements should be made in connection with the
new school at Wimbledon Park now in course of erection.
The Wimbledon Schools draw their scholars from areas
close to the schools, so that no general arrangements require to
be made for the warming up of meals brought to the schools by
children. In certain cases as, for example, where both parents
go to work, and the children bring their meals with them, the
head teachers have made a point in interesting themselves in
this matter.
Medical Inspection:—The children inspected in routine
manner according to the Board's schedule, were (i.) all new
entrants ("Entrants"); (ii.) those of 8-9 years of age ("Intermediates");
and (iii.) those of 12-13 years of age ("Leavers").
(See Table I., Appendix).
Findings of Medical Inspection:—Table II. (Appendix) is
a return of defects found by Medical Inspection during the
year. A "routine" inspection is one conducted according
to the Board's schedule; a "special'' inspection is, briefly, an
inspection carried out at any other time by a Medical Officer.
It will be noted that the numbers of defects discovered at
"special" inspections, exceed those discovered in "routine"
manner. The reason for this is due to the keen interest taken
by the teachers in the physical condition of their scholars.
Children with obvious defects, such as sores on the head, face,
or hands, are sent immediately to the Treatment Clinic, which
is held daily at Southey Hall, from 9.30 a.m. Children with
other conditions, such as defects of vision, general listlessness,
etc., are referred to the " Inspection " Clinic, which is held on
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