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INTRODUCTORY
In general it may be said that the school medical service
in West Ham provides for all the requirements which are laid
down by the Board of Education, and that in certain directions
institutions have been established which can with justice be claimed
as models for other authorities.
Detailed reference is made elsewhere in this section to the
work which is carried out at the residential open-air school at
Fyfield, and in my next annual report I hope to give a full
description of the new deaf centre which was recently opened in
Tunmarsh Lane. The Authority may well take pride in these
institutions. The routine work of the section, if less spectacular,
is nevertheless fundamentally sound, and it should not be forgotten
that the number of complaints and defects which are
dealt with in the course of this routine work is immeasurably
greater, and this work consequently more important, than the
special methods which serve to attract the attention of many who
are ignorant of basic principles.
During the course of the year no changes were introduced
in the methods of routine inspection and the general conduct of
treatment. It is evident from the observations of certain school
medical officers of repute that some doubt exists regarding the
desirability of confining inspection rigidly to routine examinations
at the three chosen age-periods, but the detailed consideration
of the local effects of such a change will require time.
For the detailed work of the school medical service Dr.
Robert J. Reid, the Chief Assistant School Medical Officer, is
responsible.
SCOPE OF THIS REPORT
This report is divided into nineteen parts, as follows:—
I. School population.
II. Staff.
III. Co-ordination of the health services.
IV. Hygiene of school premises.
V. Medical inspection.
VI. The findings at medical inspection and results of
treatment.
VII. Special treatment services.
VIII. Following-up.
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