View report page

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 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.
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
One potent agent for good in the district is the N.S.P.C.C. and one has reason to be
grateful, on many occasions, for the tactful manner in which the Officers of the Society have
dealt with the neglect which still occurs in this enlightened area.
It must be remembered that a number of these cases are due to want of intelligence,
primarily on the part of the parents. There is a certain section of the population whose intelligence
quotient is only just above the mental deficiency line and who are not controlled by reason
of that fact. This labels them from the point of view of mental assessment as normal citizens,
but a number of these cases have not got the appreciation of what a normal citizen's responsibilities
are and when this sub-normal mentality is aggravated by alcohol the condition of the
children is very often one which has to be dealt with by an agency such as this.
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.
All mentally abnormal children, other than those who have been notified to the Local
Mental Deficiency Authority, are re-examined frequently and in any case not less than once in
twelve months.
At the end of 1937 there were 45 children being maintained by the Education Committee
at institutions outside the district.
Convalescent Treatment.
In view of the increasing number of children who appear to be enjoying the advantages
of convalescent treatment provided by the Education Authority it may be of interest to describe
the types who derive most benefit from such treatment.
First and foremost is the child whose parents complain that he has no appetite, is very
easily tired, sleeps fitfully and has, perhaps, irregular bowel action. It is sometimes difficult to
ascertain the primary cause of this chain of symptoms but in most cases the reason is to be found
in one or all of the following:—
(1) Irregular meal times or faulty diet,
(2) Lack of training regarding regular action of the bowels.
(3) Irregular hours of retirement to bed at night.
In most cases the mere removal of the child from his faulty environment and routine
attention to the above points produces a very satisfactory result. He returns pounds heavier with
an excellent appetite and colour and in many cases the teacher notices a corresponding improvement
in his school work. This improved mental outlook, which is the natural concomitant of
his better physical well-being is one of the most pleasing results that one is able to observe in
school medical work.
39