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79
Ringworm 3
Scabies 4
Chorea 1
Mumps 7
Scarlet Fever 1
Pediculosis 2
Debility 4
Chicken-pox 2
Various 8
Total 69
Other exclusions under Article 53 (b) of children attending the Clinic
are given in Table VII.
5. REVIEW OF THE FACTS DISCLOSED
BY MEDICAL INSPECTION.
5a. Uncleanliness.— Physical uncleanliness of body or head is
met with in the schools in the poorer areas, but is not marked. On the
other hand, the prevalence of nits and pediculi is still too great, in spite
of strenuous endeavours to combat this evil.
Nearly 5 per cent. is a large percentage, but it compares favourably
with the 10 per cent. of the year 1915. My own impression is that
there is improvement as regards this condition, but it is up-hill work.
The Cleansing of Persons Act has not been adopted by the Council,
so one has to rely on other forces—exclusion from school, an unsatisprocedure;
the School Nurse to call and see the mother; or to put the
matter into the hands of the local Inspector for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children. The fashion of "bobbing" the hair, which
facilitates cleanliness, appears to have died out; it might usefully be
adopted for all girls under 10 years of age and would save a good deal
of the parent's time.
Further particulars are given later on in the summary of the work
done by the School Nurses.
5b. Minor Ailments.—These, including mostly skin and
external eye affections, are not met with frequently as a result of the
routine inspection; this is as one would expect, for the teacher promptly
sends such cases to the School Clinic. A comparison of the figures in
Table II, under the two separate columns Routine Inspections and
Specials, shows that the latter is much greater; this column includes all
such cases sent by the Head Teachers. It will be noticed how very
few cases of Ringworm or of Scabies (itch) have been overlooked,
showing carefulness on the part of the individual teacher.