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The variation in the number of children found to be of "unsatisfactory" physical
condition may sometimes be attributed to "observor error", a term which is used to
express the unavoidable subjective differences of opinion of various medical officers in
their attempts to conform to a classification which is not precisely defined* All the
children found to be of "unsatisfactory physical condition" were carefully followed up.
Detailed medical investigation in conjunction with General Practitioners and Specialist
were carried out and supplemented by social reports on home conditions by the Health
Visitor. Following that all necessary steps were taken to ensure maximum improvement.
School Leavers. (a) Reports to General Practitioners. We are continuing to forward
a report on each school leaver to his general practitioner. This report mentions any defects
or disabilities present at the "leavers" examination and helps to ensure continuity of care
and treatment. A large proportion of defects reported relate to vision.
(b) Colour Vision. During the year 3,755 children were tested on the Ishihara
chart. Of 1,998 boys examined 96 (4.8%) were found to have impaired colour vision while
out of 1,757 girls examined there were only 3 (0.17%) whose colour vision was not normal.
It is usual to find a much higher incidence amongst boys, and it is important that those
boys found to have this defect should be made aware of its effects and of the type of work
in which it would be a serious handicap.
OTHER EXAMINATIONS
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.
The number of "special examinations" has increased this year by 216. This may
well be a sign of the appreciation and confidence of all concerned In the judgment and
opinion of the school medical officers. The conditions for which advice was sought ranged
over most fields of medicine relating to Child Health.
There was a striking increase in the number of pupils referred on account of "Ear,
Nose and Throat" conditions which was probably due to our more constructive approach to the
investigation into causes of hearing loss brought to light by the audiometric surveys.
Cases requiring investigations into vision have increased by 139 over the previous
year. This number of referrals is significant of the growing awareness that there Is a
need to test vision before the last year of primary school life, and it is hoped that in
the near future this will be implemented by routine vision testing of all school entrants.
The increase in number of skin conditions dealt with in the school clinic should not
be interpreted as a real increase in "skin trouble". They include mainly warts and fungus
infections of the feet, e.g., "athletes foot", and are brought to light more often now,
because of our Increased efforts to improve standards of hygiene in connection with
sporting activities, e.g., swimming and football.
The most time consuming conditions in school medical work remain the problems
associated with mental health. The number of these cases is difficult to assess as
they may be seen at the routine school clinic, or at Child Guidance or Paediatric
clinics, or may be encountered at the periodic medical inspection.
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