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67
SCHOOL HYGIENE
Under Section 54 of the Education Act, health and cleanliness surveys are undertaken by the School
Nurse. Regular inspections of the children are made in school, and talks, films and film strips are used to
encourage an interest in personal hygiene and appearance.
A cleansing service is provided at the Stonebridge Health Clinic for the treatment of scabies and
for disinfestation.
Total number of examinations 14,198
Total number of individuals found to be infested for the first time during the
year 176
Number of individual pupils in respect of whom cleansing notices were issued
under Section 54(2) of the Education Act 1944 49
Number of individual pupils in respect of whom cleansing orders were issued
under Section 54(3) of the Education Act 1944 1
WORK OF THE HEALTH VISITOR AND SCHOOL NURSE
The main concern of the Health Visitor and School Nurse in school lies with health surveys, preparation
for and assisting the School Medical Officer with medical inspections. The testing for colour blindness is
now being undertaken by all nursing staff and doubtful cases referred to the Medical Officer for further
testing.
Health education programmes are offered to all schools and more are taking advantage of this
special skill of the Health Visitor.
PROTECTION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS
Vaccination against tuberculosis continued to be offered to thirteen-year-old pupils attending both
maintained and independent schools.
After the parent's consent has been obtained a simple skin test is administered to determine whether
or not the child needs protection. If the skin reacts to the test it usualy means the child has developed some
immunity, but all such cases are investigated at the Mass X-ray unit or chest clinic.
During 1967 the testing of school entrants normally at the age of 5 years was continued throughout
the borough, in all cases where a reaction is noted the child is referred to the chest clinic.

CONVALESCENT TREATMENT
Thirty-three children were recommended for recuperative holidays under Section 28 of the National
Health Service Act, 1946 for which the Education Authority accepted responsibility. These arrangements are
made on the recommendation of the School Medical Officer or General Practitioner in respect of children
who have been found to be in poor health or suffering from a disability for which a holiday is considered to
be an essential part of the recuperative treatment. In no way are they intended to provide annual holidays
for children whose parents are unable to do so.