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152
ularly, and then drop out and are not seen again until they come
up for inspection as entrants in the schools, or appear at the School
Clinics almost immediately after admission into the schools. On
going into the history one is frequently met with the fact that the
conditions which are discovered or presented for treatment have
arisen some time previously, and could have been dealt with much
more effectively in the pre-school age.
Nursery schools of course bridge this gap, but I am afraid that
the time is long postponed owing to the financial condition of the
country when nursery schools will become general. If something
could be done, such as providing dental treatment, which would
bring the child during the toddler stage more under the supervision
of the Medical Officer, many defects other than dental might be
remedied, e.g. cases of nasal obstruction, and/or otorrhoea.
In October, 1924, I suggested that a Consultant Obstetrician
should be appointed by the Council to be available for any of the
practitioners in case of need. The Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee recommended the appointment but it was negatived by
the Council in December, 1924.
The difficulties at the present time are great in many families
when a confinement is expected. Owing to the housing shortage
and the limited accommodation in the newer houses, where in
former days a nurse would have come into the house for the confinement,
and even from smaller homes where she would not,
the mothers are being confined in Maternity Homes both in and
out of the district.