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71
The necessity for the Act was recognised by all political
parties, as it had been proved to the satisfaction of Parliament
that physical defects and remediable diseases were very
prevalent among school children and were leading to physical
deterioration in the people.
Extent of the Inspection.
A memorandum issued by the Board of Education states
that the examination shall take account of the following
matters :—
(1) Previous disease, including infectious diseases.
(2) General condition and circumstances:—
(a) Height and weight.
(b) Nutrition.
(c) Cleanliness.
(d) Clothing (sufficiency, cleanliness, etc.)
(3) Throat, nose and articulation (mouth breathing,
adenoids, etc.)
(4) Eye disease and vision testing.
(5) Ear disease and deafness.
(6) Teeth and oral sepsis.
(7) Mental capacity.
(8) Present disease or defect:—
(a) Deformities or paralysis.
(b ) Rickets.
(c) Tuberculosis.
(d) Diseases of skin and glands.
(e) Diseases of heart and lungs.
(f) Anaemia.
(g) Epilepsy.
(h) Chorea.
(i) Rupture.
(j) Spinal disease.
(k) Any weakness or defect unfitting the
child for ordinary school life.
The Board state that " the effectiveness of medical
inspection will in future be one of the elements to be
considered in determining the efficiency of each school as a
grant aided school."