80 — HEALTH & MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS.

There are four different types of schools which are subject to medical inspection.

The Village Koran Schools, the Elementary Vernacular Schools, the Primary Schools and the Gordon College which is a Secondary School.

INSTRUCTION IN HYGIENE.

Instruction in Hygiene is given at all schools. At the village schools this instruction is of a very simple character emphasising the simple rules of h3Tgiene necessary in home and village life, and pointing out their importance in the avoidance of certain common diseases well known to village children, e.g. malaria and bilharziasis.

This instruction is progressively elaborated at the elementary and primary schools, and finally at the Gordon College in a series of lectures including (a) instruction in the simple physiological processes of the human body and the principles that must be observed to ensure its healthy growth and development.

(b) the rules of hygiene and sanitation for the home, the village and the town necessary to ensure the health of the individual and the community, and their protection from infectious and insect and mollusc-borne diseases.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AT PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THE GORDON COLLEGE.

All pupils entering a primary school are medically examined on admission and during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. The results of the examination are entered on a card.

The following points are examined for and recorded at each medical examination:— height, weight, chest measurement, general physique, the condition of the eyesight, hearing, of the teeth and skin and of the various organs of the body. If the boy passes on to the Gordon College, the card is sent with him and he receives a second card recording the examinations made on entering the college and during the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years.

If the boy, on leaving the primary or secondary school, enters for Government service, the cards go with him and are included in his dossier.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AT THE ELEMENTARY & VILLAGE SCHOOLS.

In the elementary and village schools records of medical examinations are confined to certain specific points, i.e. general physique, trachoma, bilharziasis, ankylostomiasis, tuberculosis and splenic index.

Medical examination of village schools have been carried out and recorded this year for the first time.