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104
Malnutrition amongst school children is decreasing. Whilst
in the previous year 351 (5.2 per cent.) came under observation on
this account, 125 (or 1.5 per cent.) were observed during the year
1921.
In the 1920 report the principal causes of malnutrition were
summarised, and it is only necessary to emphasise again that
apart from the want of food, all the ordinary physical causes of
malnutrition are powerfully combatted by fresh air. Playground
classes and open windows in the schoolrooms should be the rule,
not the exception. The provision of open-air schools is long overdue
in Croydon, and is an urgent necessity for the welfare of the
school children.
Vision and External Eye Disease.
892 Children had defective vision and III were found to be
suffering from some form of external eye disease, such as ulcers
and inflamed eyelids. Such children were treated at the Minor
Ailments Clinic and, where necessary, referred to the Ophthalmic
Surgeon.
Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids.
1,264 Children, or 15.6 per cent., were found suffering from
unhealthy conditions of the throat or naso-pharynx. Adenoids
tend to make a child deaf, and thus interfere seriously with the
progress of the child in school. Enlarged tonsils render a child
liable to infection by diseases such as rheumatism, scarlet fever
and diphtheria.
Lymphatic Glands.
Glands in the neck were found enlarged in 1,640 children, or
20.3 per cent. Enlargements due to infection by the bacillus of
tubercle are not here included.
Amongst the most common causes of glandular enlargement
in the region of the neck are decaying teeth, enlarged tonsils and
adenoids, ear discharge and verminous conditions of the head. As
soon as the specific cause is treated the glands quickly subside.
Ear Disease.
84 Children, or 1.0 per cent., were deaf and 63, or .78 per
cent., suffered from car disease. The main causes of deafness are
wax, adenoids and middle ear disease, the latter showing itself by
perforation of the .drum and discharge, and apart from trauma,
usually follows Scarlet Fever, Measles and occasionally Diphtheria.
Special arrangements for dealing with deafness and middle
ear disease are much needed as suitable early treatment frequently
makes all the difference between efficiency and inefficiency in adult
life.
Defective Teeth.
3,235 Children, or 40.0 per cent., were found at Routine
Medical Inspections to have four or less than four decaying teeth,
and 1,040 children, or 12.9 per cent., more than four defective
teeth. Slightly more than half the children examined therefore
had carious teeth.