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Weekly orthoptic sessions are also held at the Fulham and St. Dunstan's Treatment Centres and the
following work was carried out at the Clinics during the year:-
N umber of sessions 95 (85)
Number of new cases 53 (57)
Total Attendances 187 (213)

Special Investigation Clinics
Special investigation clinics were held for children suffering from obesity, enuresis and early emotional
problems. The school doctor could refer children to these clinics where advice was given and emotional
problems and management discussed with parents.
These clinics are run on an agency basis by the I.L.E.A. and have the assistance of a social worker and a
school nurse who work in close co-operation with the School Care Organiser in the Education Department
and with the School Medical Officer.
189 (169) new patients attended the five Special Investigation Clinics, total attendances 1,493 (1,496) were
made and 103 (105) children were discharged.
Audiometry
Hearing loss may be detected not only by clinical examination but also by the use of audiometers (machines
which provide an accurate assessment of the hearing defect). Routine audiometry forms part of the health
examination of school entrants, and pre-school children are tested whenever possible. The tests are performed
by school nurses with special experience in the use of the apparatus. An audiometry test is employed as a
preliminary measure in the investigation of educational subnormality as a deaf child of normal intelligence
may sometimes give the impression of being educationally subnormal. Audiometry is of particular value in
investigating learning difficulties which are sometimes found to be due to a relatively slight degree of defective
hearing.
Audiology Clinics
A total of 137 (125) new cases attended the audiology clinics in the Borough. Most of the children who come
to the clinics are given a preliminary "sweep test" by a school nurse. Some are discharged after treatment,
others are referred to hospital for minor surgery, but many have a slight but permanent hearing loss. The
peripatetic teacher of the deaf and the social worker attached to the clinics ensure that the effects of the
handicap are minimised. 240 (234) total attendances were made at the Clinics and 53 (63) children were
discharged.
Hospital Appointments
439 (465) children were referred from school medical examinations for specialist opinion. The general
practitioners were consulted on all these and, with their approval, 419 (436) were referred through the School
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