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SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
School Population. There was a further small increase in the school population
during the year. On 31st December, 1952, there were 29,135 children on the school rolls,
as compared with 28,178 on the corresponding day of 1951.
The total increase since 1945 is almost 9,000.
Nevertheless, it is of interest to note that the number of children on the school
rolls Is still some 26,000 fewer than it was at the peak of the Borough's school population
about 40 years ago.
Medical Inspection. A table setting out the work done under this heading will be
found in Appendix No. IV on pages II. A small increase in periodic inspections,
proportional to the increase in the school population, was balanced by a decrease in the
number of reinspections. This was largely consequent upon the adoption of a rather more
critical appraisal of the type of case in which observation and reinspection can contribute
something of value towards the preservation of the health of the pupil. Reinspections are
normally less time-consuming than periodic inspections, so that the reduction in the actual
volume of work has not been great.
A comparison of the general condition of the children found at medical inspections
during the past three years is set out below. During the past few years there has not
appeared to be any particular trend for better or worse, but in 1952 the figure for poor
general condition showed a sudden and marked fall to 3.35 per cent. This figure more nearly
approaches the national figure which, in 1951, was 2.9 per cent. Although this is a welcome
reduction it cannot be said that the children have improved so much in so short a time. A
more probable explanation is the personal factor of the examining medical officer, and it
should be noted that two new doctors were working - one for the full year, and one for the
last three months.