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10.—PHYSICAL TRAINING.
There is no Area Organiser of Physical Training for the elementary schools in the district,
and whatever is done is by the initiative of the teachers. The School Medical Officers, however,
are frequently able to give advice as to the ability of certain children to engage in drill and
strenuous games.
11.—PROVISION OF MEALS.
Table II of the Statistics at the end of this Report shows that 157 cases of Malnutrition
were found by Special Inspection. These cases were amongst the children who had been sent up
by the Head Teacher as suggested cases for Milk Meals. Of the 157 cases, 31 were granted free
Milk, 56 were assessed to pay part cost, and 45 refused Milk Meals. In 25 cases the parents'
circumstances were above the scale, and they were therefore assessed to pay the full cost.
Up to the end of the year 8,591 Milk Meals were supplied under the Committee's scheme;
5,304 were free Meals, and 3,287 at part cost.
Apart from the provision of Milk free and at part cost, there is a self-supporting Milk
Scheme which has been running for over 2 years. This scheme has been adopted by 26 Head
Teachers in the P>orough, and an average of 7,900 bottles of Milk are supplied weekly. The cost
is one penny per bottle containing one-third of a pint.
The provision of Meals proper is under consideration and a scheme will probably be put
into operation early in the coming year.
12.—CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
OFFICERS AND VOLUNTARY BODIES.
Every effort is made to secure the co-operation of parents in the work of the doctors,
dentists and nurses. Parents are invited to attend all routine medical inspections and during 1933
a parent or other relative attended in 2,792 instances, representing 77.8 per cent.
Parents are urged also to attend the Treatment Clinics and it is gratifying to find that an
increasing number of parents do attend and show their desire to obtain, and assist in the treatment
of their children.
The assistance given by teachers is of the greatest value to the School Medical Service.
They make all arrangements for routine medical inspections, and help us considerably in referring
cases to the Clinics, by ensuring regular attendance there, and in their reports on backward and
defective children. It is realised that this assistance involves considerable trouble and is frequently
given when time is short.
The Attendance Officers are able to render considerable assistance to the School Medical
Service, and frequently refer children who are brought to their notice on account of alleged
illness. Prompt notification by an Attendance Officer of a suspicious sore throat, or rash, has
frequently directed early attention to a case of Infectious Disease. They also undertake the
verification of returns of income made by parents when applying for various forms of assistance.
The Public Assistance Committee has very kindly given assistance in one or two cases
during the year, and the Invalid Children's Aid Association has, we know, dealt with some of our
school children. The Middlesex Edward VII. Memorial Fund from time to time provides a
seaside holiday or convalescence for a few necessitous children.
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has continued to render
valuable assistance in cases of parental neglect, several cases having been referred to the Society
during the year.
The following Societies render all possible assistance where required Hounslow, Heston
and Whitton Philanthropic Society; The Isleworth, Spring Grove and St. Margaret's Philanthropic
Society; The Shaftesbury Society and Ragged School Union; The United Services Fund, and the
British Legion.
13.—BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND EPILEPTIC CHILDREN.
Every effort is made to keep the list of these cases up-to-date. The Health Visitors are able to
report some cases before they reach school age, others are discovered at the Infant Welfare
Centres, and we never lose sight of them afterwards. Head Teachers inform us of cases, and we
rely on the School Attendance Officers to bring to our notice those defective children who do not
attend school.
There are no Special Schools in the district.
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