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(2) To determine whether a child diagnosed as feebleminded
is or is not capable of benefiting from education in a
special school; and
(3) To notify to the Local Authority, under the Mental
Deficiency Act, all defective children over the age of seven
(a) who are incapable of education in special schools;
(b) who, though educable, are detrimental to other
children ;
(c) who require supervision or guardianship under the
Mental Deficiency Act; or
(d) who, after leaving a special school, need institutional
treatment or guardianship.
Obviously there will be a considerable increase in the duties of
the medical, nursing, and clerical staff. The latter, as at present
constituted, will not be able to deal efficiently with all the work.
I therefore recommend that a second Assistant School Medical
Officer and an additional Nurse be appointed.
I have to point out that in connection with the new Medical
Inspection and Treatment Grants, the Board of Education have
stated that "it will be necessary not only that no appreciable
number of children should escape inspection, but also that actual
examination should be accurate and comprehensive and in dealing
with the same subject the Board make it clear that they will
give attention to the adequacy of the salaries paid by authorities
to their School Medical Officers and Assistant Medical Officers.
During the year 1913 two groups of children again furnished
the cases for routine examination, namely, "Entrants" and
"Leavers."
In practice it has been found that a considerable number of
children leave school before their final Medical Inspection is
effected; but this leakage should cease with the adoption of the
age basis 12 years as recommended by the Board of Education.