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98
GENERAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITION.
Malnutrition.—This defect is admittedy one of the
most difficult to estimate and classify, but is very important
from the school point of view. So many features have to be
considered together; thus, the relation of height and weight,
firmness and muscularity, condition of the skin and mucous
membranes. Inspectors therefore differ considerably, the
figures given varying from about 30 to 3 per cent. for school
children classed as sub-normal. In Ilford 12.29 percent. of the
3,653 children examined were sub-normal, and 4.68 per cent,
showed bad nutrition.
Uncleanliness. —(1) Verminous Conditions found on
Inspection.—Two classes of children come under this category.
The first being those whose unsatisfactory home or
personal condition tends to keep up and breed uncleanliness.
The second class are those unfortunate children who, whether
in or out of school, come into too close relation with those of
class one, and thus get infected. 35.82 per cent., or one out
of every three girls, and 14.14 per cent. of the boys had
recently had live vermin in their heads, as shown by their
still possessing numerous nits, while 4.14 per cent. of the
girls and 2.42 per cent. of the boys showed live vermin at
the time of inspection. A great and serious responsibility
thus rests with those who are responsible for the education
of the children, not only in protecting class two above referred
to, but to encourage and teach personal and general
hygiene in the schools.
(2) Baths for School Children.—In many of the larger
modern schools a room is provided with cubical arrangements
for shower baths. This provision of shower batfrs
with hot and cold water for school children is a great incentive
for personal cleanliness, and should not be lost sight
of when the Ilford Council decides to provide public baths
for the district. Proper use of baths would also improve other