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clear days allowed to remedy the condition—failure to do so is then
followed by exclusion, with prosecution after 7 days.
This has proved more satisfactory than the old scheme, and
there has been a reduced loss of school attendance in consequence;
whereas in 1922, out of 823 children found to be unclean at
Routine Medical Inspections or Clinics, 679 were excluded, and
only 144 (very slight cases) marked for observation, in 1923 out
of 776 cases of uncleanliness, only 209 excluded in 1924 431 were excluded in 1924.
had a warning notice given.
Mrs. Yates, the Home Help, still continues the work of
cleansing heads begun last year, the conditions remaining the
same, viz.:—the Council supplies the Sackers Combs and Shampoo
and Mrs. Yates charges 1/- per case for cleansing.
Attendance for cleansing is entirely voluntary, but parents as
a rule are glad to avail themselves of the opportunity so as to
avoid having the child excluded from school.
During the year, 168 children have been cleansed.
No cleansing has been carried out by the school nurses.
During the year 1923, legal proceedings were instituted against
the parents of 7 children (one twice). In four instances the
summonses were withdrawn, and in the remainder fines were
imposed as follows : 2 of 10/-; 1 of 5/- and 1 of 4/- (costs).
There has been considerable improvement in the condition of
the children's heads—not only in point of numbers, but also in
the degree of uncleanliness. A really filthy head with the hair
smothered in nits is now an exception, and it is gradually
becoming understood that nits are not natural to childhood, but are
the evidence of parasites which are harmful to the child's health
and well being.
LIST OF TABLES.
1. Return of Medical Inspection.
2. Return of Defects found in the course of Medical
Inspection.
3. Numerical Return of Exceptional Children.
4. Treatment of Defects of Children—
A. Minor Ailments.
B. Visual Defects.
C. Defects of Nose and Throat.
D. Dental Defects.