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and as soon as term begins this number will be increased to 40. There are,
at present, 100 children on the waiting list. Of these, 40 require medical,
surgical, dental or psychological treatment before they can take full advantage
of Speech Therapy, while 60 are ready for immediate treatment, should there
be time and vacancies for them. Of these, it is proposed to take eight into
the Clinic at once.
"The Monday and Thursday clinics have been continued throughout the
year on the original plan of treating the children in groups. There are now
three groups of stammering held twice weekly (a few of the children only
come in once weekly), one group of sigmatismus cases attending once
weekly, and one group of dyslalia cases attending twice weekly. At Easter
it was decided that, owing to the number of cases referred for treatment, the
number of sessions should be increased to three. Accordingly, another clinic
was arranged for Wednesday mornings, when, for the most part, children
requiring more individual attention have been seen.
"All cases have been sent for at regular intervals during the 12 months
following their discharge, in order that any relapse may be noted and dealt
with. So far, no case once discharged has had to be recalled for treatment,
but several have not responded to the request to attend for inspection."
(/) Ear Disease and Defective Hearing.
I have nothing to add to my former reports.
(g) Dental Defects.
The increased efforts made by the Dentists in dealing with the larger
number of dental cases is bearing fruit, but there is yet much to be done
before Edmonton school children can be regarded as dentally fit.
(h) Orthopaedic and Postural Defects.
In view of the increased numbers attending the Orthopaedic Clinic,
arrangements are being made for a House Surgeon to attend monthly in
order to assist the Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Clinic.
It was also found necessary to recommend the Committee an additional
session for massage and exercises for the Masseuse.
Operative treatment is carried out at Stanmore, the country branch of
the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, and during the year 13 children
received in-patient treatment.
The total attendances were as follows:—
1,391 boys and 1,073 girls—a total of 2,464.
Mr. Seddon has kindly submitted the following report:—
" The most noteworthy advance in the work of the Orthopaedic Clinic
during the past year is the decision of the Council to allow observation and
treatment to be continued in the small number of cases in which it is found
that something more will be required after a child has left school. Hitherto
the arrangements have been satisfactory only up till school-leaving age, but
there are certain diseases and deformities that pay no attention to legal age
limits and in which the 14 to 17 age period is of vital importance. In the
past, special arrangements have had to be made for such cases, and it is
most gratifying to know that, after April, 1939, they may continue to be
dealt with at the Clinic. Only a very small number will be involved, but this
in no way diminishes their importance.
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