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take the arrears of work to appoint a part-time Assistant School
Medical Officer to devote two half-days per week to this work. Dr.
W. B. Reid was appointed and has diligently carried out this work,
after having acted as Deputy School Medical Officer during my
illness in June—July. The duties of School Nurse are carried
out by the two Health Visitors, who have each allotted to them
a part of the district and the schools therein. The clerical work
is performed by the Clerical Staff of the Health Department.
The following short resume gives the steps taken in connection
with each visit to the schools for the purpose of Medical
Inspection. The afternoon sessions are chosen as it is found to be
more convenient for those parents who desire to be present. The
suggested dates are submitted to the teachers, when, if they are
found to be convenient, an intimation is sent to the Secretary, who
informs His Majesty's Inspector of Schools. Formal notice of
the inspection is sent to the school, together with cards, which are
given to the children to take home, inviting their parents to be
present at the inspection. The head teachers take much interest in
the inspection, and frequently direct attention to defects which have
been observed in any child in school. The parents of those children
who have been found defective, or to be in need of medical treatment
are, personally if present, and in writing, informed of the
condition and advised to seek medical advice.
The accommodation utilised for the purpose of medical
inspection during the year varied in different schools. In some
cases the head teachers' rooms have been used, but as a rule these
are not large enough for vision-testing, in others a classroom or
even a part of a classroom more or less screened off, or a corridor or
cloakroom is the only accommodation available. Where it is
necessary to utilise a classroom for medical inspection it is evident
that the crowding of other children in the remaining rooms will
cause some disturbance of the school arrangements, but it is
endeavoured in all cases to cause as little interference with ordinary
school work as is practicable.