View report page

94
RICKETS—DEFORMITIES.
Only 15 children were found to have symptoms of Rickets.
This disease is seldom found in children of school age, and only in so
much as its bad after-effects militate against the child's mental progress
is it of importance.
Rickety or bow-legs and knock-knee are quite a rarity among our
school children.
The observed prevalence of early decayed and defective teeth, and
catarrhal conditions of the throat and naso-pharynx, would indicate
that many of the children in infancy had suffered from the disease.
SKIN DISEASES.
Forty-one children were found suffering from skin affections. Most of
them were of minor importance. All children suspected by the Head
Teacher to be suffering from Ringworm, Scabies, and Impetigo are
referred to me, and are seen on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at
the Town Hall.
Those found to have Scabies are few, and usually return to school
within a week. Impetigo soon yields to suitable treatment, but Ringworm
is a source of much loss of schooling to many children.
An average of 70 children are absent from school throughout the
year from this cause, and it is to be hoped that in the coming year
some method will be devised for dealing more satisfactorily with those
children.
ACTION TAKEN TO PREVENT THE SPREAD
OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
The measures adopted are detailed on page 88 of my report to
the Council. Arising out of the supervision of the schools, fourteen
cases of Scarlet Fever and two of Diphtheria were discovered among the
school children.
No school has been closed during the year through infectious
disease.
Such a procedure could only be thought of for Measles and Whooping
Cough, and the practice of exclusion adopted for years has been
continued.
The following instructions are carried out by the Attendance
Officers:—
"No child from a Measles infected house can attend any
Infants' School.
"No child under 10 years of age who has not had Measles
can attend any school if coming from a Measles infected
house.
"Children who have had Measles, or are over 10 years of age,
may attend a Junior Mixed or Boys' or Girls' School.