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PART V.—SCHOOL HYGIENE. SECTION I.—ADMINISTRATION AND MEDICAL INSPECTION. I have the honour to report on the work of the Division of School Hygiene to the end of March, 1926 :— Staff. The permanent staff consists at present of a Director, twelve School Medical Officers, and thirtyone school nurses. There are in addition two junior School Medical Officers appointed for the term of one year. These positions are at present being held by Dr. Muriel Morgan (Wellington) and Dr. Catherine Anderson (Dunedin). There have been no changes or additions to the permanent staff of School Medical Officers. During the year Dr. Elizabeth Gunn was granted three months' leave of absence in order that she might visit the United States and Canada and observe school medical work in those countries. Dr. Helen Bakewell was granted twelve months' leave of absence at the end of the year in order that she might go abroad for further study. There have been during the year several resignations and fresh appointments in the school nursing service. Figures relating to Work accomplished. The following summary serves to indicate the extent of work accomplished during the year : — Schools inspected— Of roll under 100 . . . . .. .. . . .. 712 Of roll 100 to 500 . . . . .. .. .. .. 363 Of roll 500 and over . . .. .. .. . . .. 147 1,222 Children examined —■ Complete examinations .. .. .. .. ..47,511 Partial examinations .. .. .. .. .. . . 50,050 97,561 Notifications sent to parents relating to defects requiring treatment .. 31,510 Health talks given to school-children .. .. .. .. 1,000 Parents interviewed . . . . .. . . .. 7,240 Public lectures and addresses to parents .. .. . . . . 48 The figures for the work of the school-nurses are as follows : — Number of days assisted Medical Officer in schools .. .. . , 1,511 Number of days engaged wholly in clerical work .. .. .. 1,740 Number of children examined for medical schedule .. .. ..75,217 Number of children re-examined after inspection of Medical Officer .. 14,282 Number of visits to homes in— Large towns .. . . .. .. . . . . 9,930 Small country towns .. .. .. . . .. .. 2,704 Scattered districts .. .. .. .. .. 2,553 15,187 Number of children taken personally to hospitals .. . . .. 230 Number of children taken personally to dental clinic .. .. .. 625 Findings of Medical Inspection. (This return refers to Standard II children only.) Number of children examined (Standard II) .. .. .. .. 13,431 Percentage found to have no defects .. . . .. . . .. 9-44 Percentage found to have defects .. . . .. .. .. 90-55 Percentage with defects other than dental .. . . . . .. 60-39 Percentage showing evidence of— Subnormal nutrition .. .. .. . . .. . . 9-21 Pediculosis .. . . .. .. .. . . .. 1-89 Uncleanliness .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2-69 Skin—lmpetigo .. . . . . . . . . .. 1 -08 Scabies .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 0-70 Ringworm .. .. .. .. .. .. 0-14 Other skin-diseases .. .. .. .. .. 0-69 Heart-abnormality .. .. . . . . .. .. 1 -53 Respiratory disease .. .. .. . . .. .. 0-46 Total deformities of trunk and chest .. . . . . .. 26-26 Stooped shoulders .. .. .. . . . . .. 7-38 Flat chest (true) .. . . . . . . . . .. 2-44 Scoliosis . . .. .. .. .. . . . . 1-03 Pigeon breast .. .. .. .. . . . . 6-89 Depressed ribs .. .. . . . . .. .. 4-74 Depressed sternum ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 3-78

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