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21
Report of the
School Medical Officer.
To the Chairman and Members of the Education Committee
of the Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the
year 1921.
During the year I was appointed Medical Officer of
Health to the Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames, and took
up the duties of that office on September 1st, 1921, my time
being Apportioned equally as Medical Officer of Health and
School Medical Officer.
The teachers have again been most helpful at Routine
Inspections, and have availed themselves of my visits to the
schools by bringing special cases before me.
In only one instance was I notified in writing that a
parent objected to his two children being examined medically,
and still refused after having the advisability of allowing
it explained to him. As a compromise he was allowed
to have the Medical Inspection Record Cards completed by
his own doctor. The general nutrition of the children, on
the whole, is very good, but meals were provided in necessitous
cases selected by the head teachers, the cost being
defrayed by voluntary funds. Arrangements are made
whereby children from all the schools use the Corporation
swimming baths at specified times. There was no school
closure during the year on account of infectious disease.
The average number of children in the school register
for the year was 5,468. A lady clerk was appointed in
January, with the object of relieving the School Nurse of
office work, and thereby permit her to carry out her proper
duties, which has resulted in a great advance in the most
important work of following-up.
I am,
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Obedient Servant,
E. W. MATTHEWS,
School Medical Officer,