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It is, of course, necessary for many of the children to attend on more than one
occasion.
These figures continue the recent trend of a fall in the number of children attending
the school clinics. It would, however, be wrong to conclude that the amount of work has
declined as the type of case attending the school clinic to-day requires more thorough understanding
and investigation.
HYGIENE OF SCHOOL PREMISES
Medical Officers when visiting schools for medical inspection also interest themselves
in general hygiene arrangements and the conditions of the sanitary accommodation, kitchen and
dining room, In so far as these may affect the health of the pupils and staff. During the
year the medical officers submitted detailed reports on 53 schools. Whenever necessary,
observations made by the medical officers are sent to the Chief Education Officer, so that he
may consider how far and at what stage it may be practical to implement any recommendations.
HEALTH AND HYGIENE SURVEYS
These provide the nurse with an opportunity of observing the children's general health,
posture and vitality and for reviewing personal hygiene. Many children make use of this
occasion to ask questions on matters relating to their health.
The nurse's observations form the basis of her report to the school doctor, and, indeed,
are an important source of information on the state of health of the school community.
There has been a great change since the early days when the emphasis had to be, of
necessity, on cleanliness and infestation, but a small number of children are still found to
be infected.
During the year 58,685 inspections were made and in 229 instances infestation vas
found. On the basis of a school population of 27,633 this gives a proportion of uncleanliness
of 0.82 per cent, which compares with 1.46 per cent in West Ham in 1958 and l.l4%
which was the national figure of 1959. These numbers refer to individual children,
because however many times a child Is found infested In a year, it is only recorded as one
case. There are many instances of recurrent infestations in the same children and this
provides the School Health Service with one of its most difficult problems.
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