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but in the majority of cases it was extended for a further
period during the year. Only pasteurised milk was supplied
in the schools.
Where the special Sub-Committee dealing with these
cases was of opinion that the financial circumstances of the
families were such that they were able to provide the milk
for the children themselves, letters were sent out requesting
the parents to make the necessary provision. These cases
were also followed up in the schools by the school nurses and
a considerable number of home visits paid. In some instances
the excuse was given that the children were not able to take
milk. On the whole, however, the scheme has worked well and
the majority of the children showed a satisfactory gain in
weight.
(b) Uncleanliness. The Education Committee have, for
a number of years, made arrangements for the cleansing of
children with unclean heads at the Health Centre. A cleansing
room has been equipped with all the necessary facilities
for this work, which is carried out by the nursing staff.
During 1938, thirty-five children were cleansed at the
Health Centre. This represents a decrease on the figure of
seventy-two for the previous year.
It is felt that no child should be cleansed at the Health
Centre unless the mother, on account of illness or other bona
fide reasons, is unable to carry this out herself. Many cases,
however, have been dealt with at the Health Centre in order
to minimise the long absence from school which is often
caused by this trouble.
No legal proceedings under the Education Act, 1921, or
the Attendance Byelaws, were taken against the parents of
such children during 1938. Thirty-nine warning letters, however,
were sent and these produced the desired effect.
(c) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin. The work
of the Minor Ailment Clinic at the Health Centre is shown in
Table IV. This Clinic is well attended. The number of
defects dealt with was nine hundred and seventy-seven, an
increase of twelve as compared with the figure for the previous
year. A school nurse is in attendance at this Clinic daily,
including Saturdays, from 9 to 11 a.m.
The Committee have made arrangements for the treatment
of children with ringworm of the head by means of
X-rays at the St. John's Hospital at a cost of £1 10s. Od. per
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