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75
The chief cause of organic heart disease was found to be
Rheumatism.
Tuberculosis.—15 cases of Tuberculosis were found. In
most of these cases there was either a bad family history of
Tuberculosis or the disease was associated with poverty and
insufficient food, together with insanitary surroundings.
It is to be hoped that in the course of time this disease
will be quite extinct.
Verminous Condition.—One of the first results of Medical
Inspection was to show the prevalence of verminous condition
of children.
I am pleased to note that there appears to be a great
improvement in this respect, due chiefly to the attention paid
by the School Nurse. 115 were found to have either vermin
on the body or head.
Vermin were found in the heads of girls to a much larger
extent than in boys —83 out of 1,142 examined. This is chiefly
due to the prevailing fashion of girls wearing long hair. It is
difficult to get the parents to have their children's hair cut short
during school life. If this were done it would be possible in a
short time to entirely eradicate vermin from our schools.
Cards are given calling attention to the condition and also
advice as to how to treat it. In cases of vermin of the body a
number were cleansed at our Cleansing Station. The time of
the School Nurse is largely occupied in visiting those parents
who send their children to school in such a condition as to be a
nuisance to others.
I have had teachers complain to me of having picked up
vermin from dirty children. I think that in time the constant
supervision of the School Nurse (although at times it becomes
a very disagreeable duly to perform) will ensure a much higher
standard of cleanliness.
Clothing and Boots.—32 cases were found with insufficient
clothing. These cases were assisted by the School Nurse as
far as possible. 126 children were found to be wearing defective
boots.