Annual public health report of the Province of Orissa; and Annual vaccination report.

  • Orissa (India). Public Health Department.
Date:
[1940]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual public health report of the Province of Orissa; and Annual vaccination report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    against 55 cases among 4,809 students examined in the previous year. The percentage of incidence among the scholars works out to IT or in other words the incidence was 1 in 89 as against T15 or 1 in 86 in the previous year. The infective cases were advised to he excluded from the school in the interest of other students and to undergo systematic and regular treatment. The non-infective cases were allowed to attend school but were compelled to undergo treatment regularly and were placed under medical surveillance. It is hoped that the spread of this infection among the student community . will be effectively controlled with the co-operation of the Headmasters, the guardians and the departmental authorities. Nuiriihn and hygienic consciousness,—Of the total number of 3,579 students medically examined during the year under report 663 boys or 18’5 per cent were found with good nutrition, 2,209 or 62 per cent with fair nutrition and 707 or 19*5 per cent with bad nutrition against 1,258 or 26 per cent. 2,889 or 60 per cent and 662 or 14 per cent respectively during the previous year. Eradication of diseases and correction of the common errors in diets have been always kept in view as the final goal of medical examination of the students. Whenever a school is visited the standard of cleanliness of the students of that school is gauged and the deficiency diseases prevalent in the locality are detected by mass examination of the students. Attempt is then made to impress on the students the necessity of balanced diet, regular hygienic habits, physical exercise and personal cleanliness etc., for the upkeep and normal growth of the body. In regard to nutritional defects attempts are invariably made through class lectures, lantern slide demonstrations and personal conversation with the teachers and the students to leave definite impressions in their minds that diet is to a large extent a matter requiring modifications and adjustments, depending upon, of course, economic and other local conditions. It is gratifying to note that there has been a good response from the student community and consequently the hygienic consciousness of the students has improved a good deal. The students are gradually learning to rely on the wholesome effects of balanced diet and hygienic living, although serious economic difficulties stands in the way of sincere attempts of many to improve the state of affairs. Students benefited by treating — During the medical examination of students the old defectives are examined in the light of their previous defects. It was found that during the year under report 754 or nearly 63 per cent out of a total number of 1,193 old defective students examined, were free from their previous defects. The result solely depends on the endeavour of the parents to arrange for treatment of their wards according to the recommendations of the School Medical Officer. Although the response from the educated parents is quite good it is noticed that many parents are indifferent to what the School Medical Officer recommends for their wards. They are too callous to appreciate the evils of disease and the blessings of health to their wards. Although the Headmasters repeatedly send intimation to them to keep their wards under a prescribed system of treatment very few of them only take any step whatsoever. It is, however, sincerely hoped that this type of indiff erence on the part of the parents will gradually disappear and the time will soon come when the young girls and boys getting education in the schools and colleges of the country will make an enlightened and educated parenthood and will realise the blessings of health and the evils of the diseases upon their children. In the rural areas, the total number of students in middle English and middle Vernacular schools examined by the district board dispensary doctors was 3,731 and the number recommended for treatment was 1,584 or 42*5 per cent. Lectures on hygiene..—Every student appearing for the Matriculation Examination of the Patna University is required to attend a minimum of