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23
Clothing.
It would be unreasonable to say that after five years of clothes
rationing the standard of clothes and shoes has been entirely satisfactory.
There have been numerous complaints during the year
that the workmanship of children's shoes has deteriorated, as also
the quality. The Board of Trade have been alive to this, and are
doing all they can to maintain an improved standard, but the
general situation is such that particular attention has had to be
paid to the question of clothing and footgear during routine surveys
made during the year.
Where the standard of footgear is low because of economic
circumstances, cases are referred to the Education Committee for
their consideration. It is fair to say that, generally, any lowering
of standards has not been as a result of parental neglect, but
rather of short supply: a circumstance which is common to all.
The arrangements reported last year of a "pool" supply of plimsolls
in each school for the use of all children have continued, and
the same precautions have been taken to minimise the risk of contagion
by careful attention to cleanliness of feet and by the use of
a disinfecting dusting-powder. That this has been effective is
shown by the fact that there has been no apparent increase in
plantar warts or other contagious conditions of the feet.
Artificial Sunlight.
The artificial sunlight treatment has continued at Lordship
Lane and Park Lane Health Centres. The vitality of children so
treated has increased, a fact of particular importance during
1944, when so many conditions were likely to cause a deleterious
effect on appetite, energy and sleep of the children. 385 children
were treated, and the total number of treatments given was 4,837.
Immunisation.
Immunisation against diphtheria is now being accepted by a
great majority of parents as a routine. The reason for this is not
entirely due to propaganda, but is a result of experience of the
immunity given and the simplicity of the procedure. This work
is carried out in conjunction with the Public Health Department,
and the total number of children over 5 immunised during the
year was 1,096. The percentage of school children now immunised
is over 60 per cent.