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constant use of speech therapy techniques. It was
also possible during the year to arrange for a
speech therapist to attend Hanworth Junior
Training School.
Day Nursery
In some cases physically and mentally
handicapped children of pre-school age can
benefit from the training and sheltered
atmosphere and the companionship provided by
a day nursery. Where recommendations are made
for such admission for children over the age of
two years, the cost is borne by the Education
Committee under Section 56 of the Education
Act 1944. Fifteen such children were admitted
to day nurseries during the year.
School Meals and Milk
The provision of meals and milk in schools is now
firmly established. The milk supplied is
pasteurised and is given free. A charge is made
for school meals.
A check on one day in September showed that
of 26,741 pupils present in school 21,502 (80%)
had milk and 18,565 (69%) had dinners. There
are 46 school kitchens and children are provided
with dinners by a container service at 25 dining
centres.
The number of non-maintained schools taking
milk was 13 and 77% of the pupils participated.
Further education establishments were not
included in the check on this occasion.
Recuperative Holidays
During the year the borough council accepted
responsibility under Section 48 of the Education
Act 1944 for the maintenance of thirty-four
children in recuperative holiday homes. Twentyfive
were admitted to such homes and nine were
cancelled or withdrawn.
First Aid in Schools
First aid material is held at all schools and is
limited to simple dressings.
Infectious Diseases
The following numbers of cases of infectious
disease are known to have occurred among
school children during the year—
Scarlet fever 67
Measles 294
Whooping cough 10
Pneumonia 2
Food poisoning 1
Tuberculosis 3
Chickenpox 687
Mumps 819
German measles 88
Post-infectious encephalitis 4
Meningococcal infection 1
Malaria 1
There were no cases of diphtheria or poliomyelitis.
When pulmonary tuberculosis is found in a pupil
or teacher the Chest Physician is consulted and
where considered advisable, investigations of
school contacts are undertaken. School children
between their thirteenth and fourteenth
birthdays, are offered a test for susceptibility to
tuberculosis and BCG vaccination. During the
year 1,132 children received BCG vaccination.
Health Education in Schools
There was an increased demand from head
teachers for special talks from health department
staff.
Talks, followed by discussions, were given to
children attending senior schools on the following
subjects—diet, rest, exercise, body hygiene,
family and human relations including sex,
venereal disease, smoking, drugs, alcohol and the
medical services available to young people at
work.
The question of drug taking was discussed
with the chief education officer and the consultant
psychiatrist at the Child Guidance Clinic. As far
as we are aware, there are no cases of drug taking
by school children or students in this borough.
Undue publicity has therefore not been given to
this subject as it was considered that propaganda
might stimulate curiosity and tempt young
people to experiment with drugs.
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