View report page

Personal Hygiene
Routine hygiene inspection of pupils is carried out either at the request of the head
teacher or at the school medical officer's or school nurse's discretion. Regular hygiene
inspections each term have not been necessary at any school during 1971.
The total number of inspections carried out was 4,994 (4,676) and 96 (83) children
were found to be infested.
It is the responsibility of the parents to carry out treatment but when necessary
children are treated at school clinics.
General Medical Clinics
These clinics are held throughout the borough and are used to treat minor ailments,
examine children brought forward for special medical examination and children who
require re-examination following periodic medical examination.
The principal minor ailments treated are diseases of the skin. One of the medical
officers has specialised in the treatment of diseases of the skin, particularly the treatment
of verrucae and cases are referred by general medical practitioners as well as by school
medical officers.
The total number of pupils treated for minor ailments, excluding skin diseases in
1971 was 305 (169). The total number of pupils treated for skin diseases was 358 (284).
There has been an increase in the number of children treated for verrucae - no
doubt due to the increased vigilance of teachers in identifying a skin condition of the
feet and referring the pupil for treatment.
There is no doubt in my mind, however, that a number of the cases are the result of
physical training, including dancing, being carried out in bare feet.
Defective Vision
By arrangement with the Executive Council treatment of defective vision and squint
is carried out at local authority clinics. The total number of pupils treated for defective
vision, including squint in 1971 was 1,744 (1,223).
Spectacles were prescribed for 545 (484).
Diseases and defects of ear, nose and throat
The total number of children treated for these defects in 1971 was 89 (124) of
whom 39 (24) had operative treatment mainly for tonsils and adenoids.
Orthopaedic Defects
Physiotherapy sessions for minor orthopaedic and postural defects are held at
clinics, at Carew Manor E.S.N. School, Sherwood Park School and the Observation/
Diagnostic Classes.
The total number of pupils treated in 1971 was 307 (223).
36