EL—3l

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would be improved by taking out the old-fashioned platforms and removing the long benches and desks which necessitate the children sitting with their backs to the windows; if tables and chairs were then installed, the whole room would be capable of reorganization, and conditions of seating accommodation and lighting greatly improved for both pupils and teacher. School-cleaning is rarely adequate. The difficulty of securing labour is often great, and the work cannot be efficiently carried out under present conditions. The scheme adopted in Melbourne, Victoria, has much to commend, it. The Education Department there employs a regular staff of school-cleaners, who twice yearly give each school a thorough " spring cleaning." 11 a similar plan were adopted here by various Education Boards the usual staff of cleaners should not have very much difficulty in keeping the buildings in a satisfactory state. Dr. Keith comments upon the good results obtained in several schools of his district where organized cleaning is carried out by the children. Outbuildings.-—"Where the water-carriage system exists the condition of these is, as a rule, fairly satisfactory. In country districts there is often much to be desired both in the character of the building and the amount of cleanliness and supervision attained. SECTION 6.—LECTURES AND PROPAGANDA. During the year courses of lectures have been given to training-college students, also many addresses to parents, to various societies, and to the general public. Addresses to children on health matters form part of the daily work of school medical officers. That the preventive and educational side of the work is of greater ultimate value than its remedial is recognized. SECTION 7.—WORK OE SCHOOL NURSES. In a district where it has been possible for a nurse to concentrate her attention on a small group of schools the proportion of defects treated has greatly increased, in some cases extending to as high as 86 per cent. Where parents have not time or money or interest sufficient to ensure that their children receive necessary advice and treatment, the school nurse is invaluable. She rouses parental interest, and, where advisable, herself arranges for treatment to be carried out. In many cases she personally conducts children to the hospital, dental clinic, and convalescent home. By her supervision she inculcates a higher standard of personal cleanliness among pupils. An intelligent school nurse of good personality is a great blessing to the schools of her district, and an increase in the school nursing staff would add greatly to the efficiency of the work of medical inspection. SECTION B.—SUMMARY Ol? TREATMENT RETURNS FOR ALL GROUPS EOR THE YEAR 1!)23.

Table I. —Number of Defects notified and Percentage subsequently treated: Disease Groups.

Table II. —Nature of Treatment received.

Note.—Six officers only furnished returns in three separate groups, and the group totals above, therefore, show figures for these officers. The grand total, however, includes figures furnished by nine officers engaged in school hygiene work for the year. Other returns forwarded could not be included owing to a different grouping of the defects noted.

Percei) itage of Defects treated to Defects followed up. Groups. Total Children examined. Total Defects Total Defects notified to Parents. followed Nose, Throat, and Ear. up. Teeth. Vision. Skin. Other Defects. 1. Large towns 2. Smaller towns 3. More remote districts 24,114 14,524 15,479 8,350 6,384 6,511 7,668 50-50 5,429 43-19 5,191 45-36 24,476 50-22 58-37 46-22 46-84 54-44 47-35 43-71 96-15 90-71 88-32 62-19 57-61 71-12 Totals, nine officers 62,181 28,479 56-35 47-40 95-08 68-36

Groups. Percentage of Defects treated by Total Defects treated. Hospitals. u ™X ate Parents. Practitioners. 4,146 31-57 54-82 13-60 2,553 1.0-58 70-78 18-64 2,547 8-64 75-34 16-02 1. Large towns 2. Smaller towns 3. More remote districts Totals, nine officers 13,009 23-25 60-14 16-61