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12
Thirty children were formally excluded during the year on
account of their verminous condition and their parents were prosecuted
in three cases, under the attendance bye-laws, and convictions
obtained.
Defective Nutrition.
On the whole the children were well fed and few showed signs
of persistent under-feeding, although in many cases the nutrition
was below average, mostly on account of some recent illness or
other morbid condition.
The Provision of Meals Act has not been adopted, but through
voluntary agencies free meals were provided in several schools.
Carious Teeth.
Of the 1527 children inspected in the schools 996 had carious
teeth either temporary or permanent or both, being 70 per cent, of
the children examined.
This number is probably less than the real figure as it includes
only decay visible to the eye without the assistance of the probe and
dental mirror.
At the end of 1913, the scheme for providing dental treatment
(which was contained in the special report, printed as an appendix
to last year's report), had been adopted by the Council and awaited
the sanction of the Board of Education.
This sanction was received in due course, and the Medical
Officer again reported in May as to the necessary arrangements,
accommodation and staff. The suggestions contained in that
report were acted upon and Mr. Edward Thorne, L.D.S. (R.C.S.
Eng.), was appointed School Dentist.
With alterations of a comparatively slight character the rooms
at Radnor House used for the inspection clinic have been most
excellently adapted for the purpose by the Surveyor.
The children enter at a side entrance in Cross Deep into a
lobby (where perambulators can be left), and then pass into the