M(1)32-
# REPORT FOR 1927 OF THE ASSISTANT MEDICAL OFFICER FOR SCHOOLS.
A small advance has been made in respect of inspections. A much larger number of children has been vision-tested, a test being taken through Class 5 (the middle class of senior schools). A very high percentage of vision defect is shown, and the remedy remains an outstanding problem. A few of the schools have dark classrooms or in some the lighting is badly arranged, but many have been improved. Sight probably deteriorates at an earlier age than that at which English teaching begins. When boys are admitted to the lowest class of Anglo-Chinese Schools at the age of 14, defects are so well-established that it is difficult to get results from treatment. A lower age of admission would be better from a health point of view. Boys (and girls) go first to a Vernacular School (of which there are over 500 in the Colony) for 4 to 7 years, until they are able to attain the standard in Chinese for admission to the Government Anglo-Chinese schools. No medical inspection has yet been possible in these vernacular schools, but there is little doubt that the most important years, as regards preventive treatment of defect, and the formation of good health habits, are spent here. There are, roughly, 40,000 children in school here, of which only about 10,000 are in medically inspected schools.
Treatment of defect other than in vision is still almost negligible, except among British children, whose parents arrange with their own doctors.
## Table of comparison between numbers for 1926 and 1927.
1926 1927 Schools inspected 16 18 No. examined (Entrants) 1,104 1,189 Defects found (Entrants) 407 426 Percentage of defect (Entrants Anglo-Chinese Schools) 38.8 39.1 Percentage of defect (Entrants British Schools) 41.0 37.5 Special cases and re-inspections 196 756 Cases seen by Oculist 258 215 provided with glasses 215 169M (1) 32-
REPORT FOR 1927 OF THE ASSISTANT MEDICAL
OFFICER FOR SCHOOLS.
A small advance has been made in respect of inspections. A much larger number of children has been vision-tested, a test being taken through Class 5 (the middle class of senior schools). A very high percentage of vision defect is shown, and the remedy remains an outstanding problem. A few of the schools have dark class rooms or in some the lighting is badly arranged, but many have been improved. Sight probably deteriorates at an earlier age than that at which English teaching begins. When boys are admitted to the lowest class of Anglo-Chinese Schools at the age of 14, defects are so well-established that it is difficult to get results from treatment. A lower age of admission would be better from a health point of view. Boys (and girls) go first to a Vernacular School (of which there are over 500 in the Colony) for 4 to 7 years, until they are able to attain the standard in Chinese for admission to the Government Anglo- Chinese schools. No medical inspection has yet been possible in these vernacular schools, but there is little doubt that the most important years, as regards preventive treatment of defect, and the formation of good health habits, are spent here. There are, roughly, 40,000 children in school here, of which only about 10,000 are in medically inspected schools.
Treatment of defect other than in vision is still almost negligible, except among British children, whose parents arrange with their own doctors.
Table of comparison between numbers for 1926 and 1927.
Schools inspected
No. examined (Entrants)
Defects found (Entrants)
1926 1927
16
18
1,104 1,189
407 426
Percentage of defect (Entrants Anglo
Chinese Schools)
38.8
39.1
Percentage of defect (Entrants British
Schools)
41.0
37.5
Special cases and re-inspections
196
756
Cases seen by Oculist
258
215
"}
provided with glasses
215
169
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