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It was again not possible to reach the ideal of a terminal inspection, but once
again the results were so good that it may confidently be asserted that nothing of value is
lost by the lengthening of the interval between the inspections.
All children whose weight or height appears to be at a standstill, or whose general
condition seems to require investigation, are referred to the area school doctor * Should
the area doctor after a full investigation of the case# and examination of the child consider
that a specialist!s opinion is necessary, the child is referred to the nutritional section
of the paediatric clinic,,
NUTRITION SURVEYS
Number of inspections 14,635
Referred to school doctors (suspected malnutrition) 12
Referred to school doctors (other conditions)
Scabies 11
Skin diseases 7
Ear defects 4
Other conditions 24
Total 58
CLEANLINESS, Routine cleanliness surveys are sometimes conducted at the same time
as the nutritional surveys. On other occasions a school is visited for the purpose of
carrying out a special cleanliness survey. The numbers found to be infested at these surveys
are augmented by others who are discovered at periodic or special medical inspections*
While the onus of cleansing is upon the parents - and children found to be infested are
followed up until the school nurse is satisfied that they are clean - a certain number are
treated at the school clinics with a D.D.T. preparation.
During the year, 37,114 inspections were made at these cleanliness surveys, and
1,597 instances of infestation found, a percentage of 4.3. This number refers to individual
children, because, however many times a child is found dirty in the year* it is only recorded
as one case. . There are many instances of recurrent infestations in the same children,-, and
these persistent offenders provide the School Health Service with one of its most pressing
problems. Cleansing notices were issued in three cases, and a Cleansing Order in one.
Obvious dirtiness of the skin is dealt with largely by the teachers,as well as by
the nurses at their inspections. Shower baths are available at a number of the schools and
these are most helpful in maintaining the standard of bodily cleanliness.
FOLLOW-UP* This is a most important function of the school nurses which is essential
if the full value is to be obtained from inspection and treatment. Many children would weary
of carrying out the doctor's recommendations and parents fail to co-operate without the friendly
encouragement and advice of the nurse. This service frequently requires the nurse to visit
the childrens homes and this is welcomed as an excellent opportunity of getting to know really
intimately the families for whose welfare they are responsible.
During the year the school nurses paid 5,528 home visits in this way.
54