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no clear division could be made between "good" and "fair", and this made statistics
difficult to compare. Although guidance as to "satisfactory" and "unsatisfactory"
cannot be very clearly defined it lends itself more easily to interpretation, A special
routine has been adopted in dealing with children who are found to be of "unsatisfactory
physical condition". Apart from further medical investigation, in consultation with the
family doctor, e.g., hospital reports, referral to specialists, etc., the health visitor
is requested to submit a detailed report on home conditions; and when all the relevant
information is obtained the case is dealt with in a manner ensuring that the child is
made as fit as possible. The figures for 1956 and 1957 are as follows:-
Year Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
1956 99.87 0,13
1957 99.90 0.10
England and Wales:-
1957 98.28 1,72
School Leavers. (a) Reports to General Practitioners. At the request of the
Ministry of Education a pilot scheme was recently adopted providing for passing on information
about defects found on examination of school leavers, to their respective general
practitioners, so as to ensure continuity of care and treatment.
(b) Colour Vision. The Ishihara test for colour vision has been
used in West Ham for many years, but was applied only to pupils attending grammar and
technical schools. This year, however, the testing of colour vision has been extended to
pupils in secondary modern schools. Due to staffing difficulties this scheme has not yet
been fully implemented but it is hoped that it will be carried out In a more comprehensive
way as soon as possible.
Of those tested (in all types of schools) 47 boys and 2 girls were found to have
defective colour vision. This confirms the known observation that this defect is much
more prevalent among males than females. It is important that those children contemplating
certain types of employment should be aware that they have this handicap.
OTHER INSPECTIONS
Special examinations are carried out at any time if for any reason a parent, teacher,
school nurse or health visitor wishes to have the medical officer's opinion.
This is becoming a major part of the school medical officer's work in the sohool
clinic. These cases may be complicated requiring consultations with teachers, social
workers or general practitioners. They are time consuming and the numbers do not reflect
the size of the task. It is, however, very gratifying to see that the school medical
officer is becoming a key-person in dealing with certain specific health problems. Gradually
certain problems are emerging as the underlying reason for many of their consultations;
for instance, there are the developmental difficulties associated with puberty and
adolescence, and certain psychosomatic disorders. Before effective help can be given it
is necessary to take into consideration the whole family situation and to enlist the help
of other colleagues both inside and outside the department.
Reinspections deal, as in the past, with cases referred from previous medical
inspections, and are conducted either at school or at school clinics.
Figures relating to this work will be found in an appendix at the end of the report,
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