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143
From Table II B of Appendix, it will be seen that the percentage
of children found at routine medical examination to require
treatment were as follows:—
Entrants 18.70 per cent.
Intermediates 17.68 „
Leavers 18.22 ,,

These figures show that in the five-year period under review
the percentage incidence of defect has been reduced in the case of
Entrants from 34.64% to 18.70%, i.e., by 15.94%
Intermediates from 24.01% to 17.68%, i.e., by 6.33%
Leavers from 21.05% to 18.22%, i.e., by 2.83%
Total. From 26.64% to 18.22%, i.e., by 8.42%
It is evident that, although there has been a total all-round
reduction of 8.42 per cent. in defect incidence, the reduction has
taken place chiefly in the "entrant" group. Although it is never
safe to draw definite conclusions from statistical findings of one
year, especially in view of the many and diverse factors involved,
it is reasonable to assume that the marked reduction in defects
found among school entrants during the last few years may be due
to the increasing care and attention which the Maternity and Child
Welfare Authority has been devoting to the pre-school child during
that time. Time alone will tell whether the improvement is merely
a temporary variation, but the figures recorded above are certainly
encouraging.