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institution almost twenty years ago. This is far from being
the case, as those who have been engaged in the work fully
know. The actual numbers of defects may show little diminution,
but the nature of the defects discovered and how
they are discovered has entirely altered.
In the early days of inspection, such conditions as uncleanliness
of clothing or person, ringworm, scabies and other
skin diseases were frequent in spite of special preparation of
the scholars by the parents for the inspection. Conditions
such as heart disease, defective vision, and enlarged tonsils
and adenoids, required careful and full explanation to the
parents as to necessity for treatment. Other defects and
their remedies were disregarded, and the attitude of the
parents generally towards inspection was, at best, that of
"armed neutrality."
A glance at Table II. perhaps will be the best evidence
of the change. Where formerly defects were discovered
practically only at "Routine" inspections, now the great
majority are discovered at "Special" Inspections. In other
words, the parents bring their children at once to the Clinic
for advice if any defect is observed—the parents have learned
the value of prevention and early treatment. The number
of conditions requiring to be kept "under observation" also
emphasises this point, and a considerable number of children
attending the Clinic are only reporting under observation,
and are not receiving any treatment. This last point should
be remembered when statements are made to the effect that
children attend and are being actively treated at the Clinics
who should be attending the family doctor.
Under such circumstances there is very little that can
be added to previous reports.
(a) croup v.—un cleanliness and verminous condition.
i. Average number of visits per school made during the year
by the School Nurses 16
ii. Total number of examinations of children in the Schools
by School Nurses 42,111
iii. Number of individual children found unclean 266
iv. Number of children cleansed under arrangements made by
the Local Education Authority 1397
v. Number of cases in which legal proceedings were taken: —
a. Under the Education Act, 1921 Nil
b. Under School Attendance Bye-laws Nil
t Includes skin disease cases.
32 children only out of over 1,750 examinations made by
the Medical Officers were noted as verminous. (1.8%).
(b) Minor Ailments:—Many of these cases are extremely
trifling and should never be sent to the Clinic. Small cuts,
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