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AFFECTIONS OF THE HEART were found in 199 children=
3 4%, and for the most part caused little or no inconvenience to the
child. The mild conditions are usually temporary and associated with
anaemia or slight debility from any cause. It is the practice to re-examine
these children at intervals lest a mild condition develop into one more
serious. In the severe heart conditions the heart-valves are nearly
always permanently injured and most frequently from rheumatism.
This disease is often obscure in its symptoms and is unidentified ;
nevertheless, the heart may be affected.
When rheumatism is suspected in a child a pamphlet is handed to
the mother indicating the symptoms of the disease and the precautions
that should be taken.
In the mild cases of heart disease it is often found inadvisable to
use the term weak heart to a parent There is a tendency to treat the
child as an invalid and keep it at home on slight pretexts. The
teacher is usually informed, as it is sometimes necessary to modify the
physical exercises of the child.
AFFECTIONS OF THE LUNG were found in 216 children. 19 of
these were suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. These cases are
nearly always sent to the Tuberculosis Dispensary Sometimes the
child is excluded from school, but exclusion may cause no improvement
unless home conditions are very satisfactory. The child's
presence at school causes no risk to other children if the case is one of
closed tubercle.
Bronchial catarrh is the condition most frequently found, and is
usually an extension of an ordinary cold. Many of these children
become anaemic and flabby, but derive benefit from cod-liver oil and
malt, especially in conjunction with plenty of fresh air This type of
child is nearly always suitable for an open-air class ; probably the lung
condition is attributable to or aggravated by over-heated or illventilated
living conditions.
MENTAL CONDITIONS.
At routine inspections 13 children were classed as mentally
defective and 29 as mentally sub-normal.
Children suspected of being mentally defective are referred to the
School Medical Officer for special examination.
The most common cause of backwardness in children is enlarged
tonsils and adenoids. The removal of these often causes the most
gratifying improvement in the child's mental condition.
It is impossible at a routine medical examination to detect every
case of mental deficiency, as many are of a mild type or again may only
be cases of mental backwardness. Special classes for these types
should be established.