View report page

13
the Committee resolved that, in future, responsibility for the repair of
spectacles should be accepted in all cases even when there was evidence
of negligence to account for the damage.

Defects of Ears, Nose and Throat
The number of children found to be suffering or to have suffered from
middle ear disease (otitis media) continued at the high levels reported in
the 1966 Report (page 13). There was even a very slight but significant
increase in the number of such defects which were noted for review by the
school medical officers. Although this increase is small it continues a
trend which has been noted in each of the last three years. This is a serious
condition which may have long term sequelae so that continous observation
for several years will be necessary before the importance of these
findings can be adequately assessed.
There was a change during the year in the audiometric standard used
for the Sweep test of hearing so that comparisons with earlier years are no
longer valid.
Defects of Heart and Circulation
There was no significant change in the pattern of these defects during
the year. The school medical officers continue to supervise three of these
defects for every one referred to a hospital specialist. Leading heart specialists
consider that these regular reviews are of critical importance in
the assessment of heart murmurs in symptomless children and it is very
satisfying to record this further testimony to the value of the in-service
training which was provided for the medical staff in 1966.