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fully appreciated by the public and the local medical men, if, indeed,
they have been at any time defined. It would be of public service
if they were to be laid down and sent, in a printed form, to all
local practitioners when next occasion arises for some general
communication to be made to them.
The condition of the Public Elementary Schools in the
district continues to exhibit progressive amelioration. During the
past year, the new and excellent school in the Lonsdale Road has
been opened, and the but lately erected schools in the Lower
Richmond Road, are undergoing extension with a view to special
provision being made for the feeble-minded amongst the scholars.
The old National and Roman Catholic Schools in Mortlake have
been considerably improved, and extensive works have been
carried out, with great advantage, at the Green Schools, Barnes.
I have continued to carry on, with the assistance of Dr. Cecil
Johnson, the task of examining what are known as "School
Attendance cases."
In respect of these cases, some commentary may perhaps be
permitted.
It is a plain fact that a very large number (mostly girls), of
the children, who attend Public Elementary Schools in
England, are habitually sent by their parents in a verminous condition
that would not be tolerated in a domestic animal. In consequence,
it is as disgusting for the teachers to have to supervise
these children as it is unpleasant and dangerous for the well-kept
children of the more self-respecting working classes to mix with
them. An enormous amount of trouble is given in turn to the
teachers, to the school attendance officers, to the school attendance
sub committees, to the education medical officer, to the medical
officer of health, and finally to the Magistrates. And all this
because there is, under exising statutes, no proper and direct