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6
in connection with the early detection and reference for treatment
of cases of squint. The Municipal Midwifery Service inaugurated in
1937 was completed at the end of 1938 and the Minister of Health has
since made an Order in accordance with Section 6 (2) of the Midwives
Act, 1936, and declared that the service of domiciliary midwives is now
adequate for the needs of the Borough.
School Medical Service.
The Nutrition Clinic, commenced in 1937, has fully justified its
existence; 2,110 attendances were made during the year. At the Routine
Medical Inspections 12.3 per cent. of the school population were found
to be suffering from defective nutrition but only 2 per cent. showed a
severe degree of malnutrition. The Dental Clinics showed an increase in
the percentage of acceptances of treatment of nearly 5 per cent. over the
previous year and represented 51.2 per cent. of the school population
inspected. The section of the Report dealing with the work of the Aural
Clinic on pages 14 to 22 calls for special mention especially in respect
of the use of the Pure Tone Audiometer and the conservative treatment
of Enlarged Tonsils. The progress in Physical Education and Open Air
Education including the work of the Authority's Residential Open Air
School at Hayling Island and School Journeys is fully described in the
body of the Report.
I wish to place on record my appreciation of the work of the loyal
and efficient staff of the Health Services who, in spite of multifarious
duties in connection with Air Raid Precaution Schemes never allowed
the routine work of the Departments to suffer, and have ungrudgingly
given so much of their spare time in the period of National Emergency
which has characterised the years 1938-39.
In conclusion I wish to acknowledge the support and encouragement
accorded to me by the Members of the Town Council and the help given
to me by my colleagues in other Departments of the Council's Service.
I have the honour to be
Your obedient Servant,
G. Hamilton Hogben,
Medical Officer of Health.