View report page

(18) Health Education.
The staff of the School Medical Service have not given any
Health talks in the Elementary or Secondary Schools during the
year.
Copies of the Board's Handbook of Suggestions on Health
Education have been supplied to Head Teachers.
(19) Special Inquiries.
There have been no special inquiries conducted during the
year by members of the School Medical staff in regard to Special
Services.
(20) Miscellaneous.
Employment of Children and Young Persons.
The employment of school children out of school hours is
subject to certain restrictions governed by Bye-Laws under
Section 9 of the Education Act, 1921. These restrictions limit
the age at which a child can commence such work, and the hours
of employment. The child must also be medically examined and
a certificate given that the work will not injure the child's health
or prejudice its education.
The greater part of the work undertaken by children in this
Borough consists of newspaper delivery and other errand rounds
connected with provision stores.
The Bye-Laws under the Education Act, 1921, relating to
the employment of children have been recently revised and adopted
by the Council. In the main they give greater elasticity to child
employment without essentially altering the hours of employment
or encroaching on the conditions. Moreover they bring these
conditions more into line with those of the London County Council
and neighbouring Boroughs. During 1933, 165 children were
examined; one certificate was not granted on account of unfitness.
During the same period certificates of fitness under the
Employment of Children in Entertainments Rules (Sec. 101,
Education Act, 1921), were granted in respect of 34 girls and
5 boys.
Pathological Work.
The microscopical examination of sputum for the presence of
the tubercle bacillus is undertaken by the Tuberculosis Officer.
Throat swabs are taken bv the School Medical staff as
required, and sent to the Superintendent of the Plaistow Fever
Hospital for cultivation and report.
The microscopic diagnosis of ringworm of the head is
undertaken by the School Medical staff in the Laboratory provided
for that purpose.
K
183