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Recommended for Milk on Medical Grounds.
1. Children in receipt of 2/3rds of a pint per day. Total 146.
Improved—96: Doubtful or no improvement—50.
2. Children in receipt of l/3rd of a pint per day. Total 50.
Improved—25: Doubtful or no improvement—25.
3. No extra milk at school. Total 46.
Improved—20: Not improved—26.
As the administration of milk, or the absence of it, was not under controlled conditions,
precise value cannot be attached to the above figures. The much higher percentage improvement
of those on two bottles a day is, however, very suggestive.
Milk-meals via the schools occasion certain difficulties and problems which will have to be
overcome. Firstly, there is the question of school holidays. At a period when increased exercise
and open air stimulate the appetite, the daily milk intake is decreased, unless the parents themselves
supply the deficiency. Their ability to do this is usually in inverse ratio to the need. During
illness or convalescence, or when there are frequent absences from school on account of illness, the
supply of milk is again apt to be most unsatisfactory when it is most required. Fortunately the
supply of milk during school holidays is now being considered, and milk will be given experimentally
during the next Easter holidays.
A certain number of children recommended but not receiving milk were stated to suffer
digestive disturbances, and the parents objected on this ground. In other instances, it was said
that the child's appetite at the usual meal-time was spoiled by the milk. A few parents could not
be persuaded that milk had much food value, and a few refused or could not be bothered to fill in
the assessment form.
V. FREEMAN.
In addition to the above mentioned cases, 66 per cent. of the school children in the Borough
are having Milk daily under the self-supporting scheme. Before the Milk Marketing Board's
scheme came into operation last October, only about 14 per cent. of the children were having milk.
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 1934
a parent or other relative attended in 3,012 instances, representing 71.3 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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