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when first, the child is seen by the nurse; second, the doctor
interviews the head teacher, and finds out if the head teacher
from his or her day to day observation of the child suspects any
deviation from normal health.
The doctor, having the nurse's report, then interviews parent
and child, questions are invited and problems relating to health
explored, the child is examined and if a defect is discovered
the parent is advised.1 However, in most cases the doctor and
parent agree that the child is healthy, sometimes the mother
needs to be re-assured that her anxieties are unfounded.
The mother is advised to accept the first year of school
life as a period when upper respiratory tract infections are
common and to accept that the apparent thinness of the junior
school child (ages 8, 9 and 10) is compatible with good health.
When the routine medical inspection is completed the doctor
reports relevant findings to the head teacher and makes any
necessary arrangements for the disposal, treatment or follow—up
observation of defects found.
Dental Service
During 1952 the dental staff was increased to seven fulltime
dental surgeons so that all dental surgeries were fully
staffed. It is hoped that during 1953 two additional dental
clinics may be set up and staffed so as to allow a complete school
dental and priority dental service for expectant and nursing
mothers and children under school age to be maintained.
The scheme for evening dental sessions which commenced on
the 1st January 1952 enabled a total of 136 additional treatment
sessions to be held at which 890 attendances were made. This
contribution was equivalent to another full time dental surgeon
being employed for three months during the year,
Tottenham Day Special School for the Deaf
The nursery block was completed during the year and 11 deaf
children of nursery school age are now being accommodated.
Vale Road Day Special School for Physically Handicapped Children
Spastic Unit
The formation of the spastic unit at Vale Road Special