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109
The highly infectious cases are those with Pulmonary
Tuberculosis. These can usually be detected by ordinary
examination, and are excluded from school.
Deformities.— These were present in 99 children, or 27
per cent. They include curvature of the spine, deformity of
chest, etc.; the former was most commonly seen in girls, the
latter in boys.
Infectious Diseases.— 47 cases were found, equal to 1-3
per cent, of the children inspected. They included the following
diseases:— Scarlet Fever, Mumps, Diphtheria, etc. A
number of children were also found suffering from various skin
a'ffections such as Ringworm, Impetigo, Itch, etc.
Work out of School Hours.— Of the 424. older boys
examined, 85, or 20 per cent., were engaged in various
employments, such as shop work, selling papers, delivering
milk, etc., either before morning school, in the evening, or both.
Of these 21 under the age of 13 years were found to be
working in excess of the hours permitted by the local Bye-laws,
and steps were taken in all cases to prohibit this.
The Work of the School Nurse.— The work performed by
the School Nurse is exceedingly valuable, and may be
described under two heads :— 1st. In the School. 2nd. In the
homes.
1. In the school, the nurse prepares the children for
inspection and also takes note of the height, weight, condition
of head, etc., thus saving the time of the doctor.
At other visits to the schools she gives advice and help to
the teachers in connection with verminous children or those
suspected to be suffering from infectious or other illnesses.
2. It is in the home however, that the most valuable part
of the Nurse's work is performed. Defects and diseases which
have been discovered at the inspection are here explained to the
parents and the necessity for obtaining treatment is pointed out.