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82
Borough of East Ham Education Committee.
Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Ford, and Gentlemen,—
I beg to submit my Annual Report as School Medical Officer
for the year ending 31st December, 1913.
The staff was added to this year by the appointment of Mr.
C. H. Taylor, L.D.S., as part-time School Dentist. He commenced
his duties on 22nd January.
Later in the year a change in the Medical Staff occurred
through Dr. Stalker resigning his position as Assistant School
Medical Officer. His place was taken by Dr. Berry, who began
his duties on 1st May.
During the year 1913, there were Medically Inspected 5,432
children, of which 4,905 were routine cases, and 527 special cases.
This number represents about as many as can be properly ininspected
with the present staff, especially as the work of the
Inspection and Treatment Clinics has so enormously increased.
In my report for 1912 I forecasted a further increase in the
routine Medical Inspection. The Board of Education in Circular
823, issued 18th August, 1913, have made it clear that more will
be required of Local Education Authorities in the near future.
I quote the following paragraphs from the Circular to which 1
refer:—
" Paragraph 6 :
"It has also been found that the existing definition of the
last age-group as 'all children who are expected to leave
school in the year' has led to some difficulties in practice. It
has, therefore, been decided to substitute for this definition
one founded on an age basis, and to require the inspection of
all children between 12 and 13 years of age, together with
all children over 13 years who have not already been examined
after reaching the age of 12. This change should be brought
into operation for the year beginning on 1st April, 1914, in
order that any temporary additional burden due to the change