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or recommendations made, the teachers play an invaluable part.
Children who show some defect and are considered by the
doctor to need individual supervision by the teacher are reported
to the head teacher on a special confidential form. All cases such
as bad vision, defective hearing, heart trouble, etc., are so
reported.
To the members of the school inspectorate I tender
my thanks for their enthusiastic co-operation.
(c) There is complete co-ordination between the school
medical service and the school attendance officers. The work done
by these officers in connection with the health services of the
borough is of great value, particularly in regard to cases of nonnotifiable
infectious diseases, which are brought by them daily to
the notice of the medical officer of health.
(d) The school medical service is in close touch with certain
voluntary associations and societies in connection with the welfare
of individual children. The Invalid Children's Aid Association and
the Invalid and Crippled Children's Society notify the school medical
officer of children coming to their notice who require new or
altered surgical appliances. The Authority assists in the purchase
or alteration of instruments. These societies also report cases
requiring convalescent treatment. During the year a large number
of school children were reported to the medical officer of health,
and sent away for periods of convalescence. Assistance in the
purchase or repair of surgical appliances was rendered to 34
children.
I am also indebted to the National Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Children and the Central Association for Mental
Welfare, as well as to the almoners of a number of voluntary
hospitals for their valuable help.
(e) In addition to the voluntary hospitals of West Ham and
of the County of London, I am also indebted to a number of other
voluntary bodies for their valuable work for the welfare of school
children.
XIV. BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND
EPILEPTIC CHILDREN.
(a) Ascertainment. Information regarding the incidence of
children who are suffering from these defects is obtained from
various sources; for example, from head teachers, from the school
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