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102
Annual Report, of the London County Council, 1914.
3.— "Easy Treatment" or "Oral Teaching only."
In cases where the defect is not so great as to necessitate attendance at a myope class, special
arrangements are made at the ordinary schools. According to the degree of defect the head teachers are
instructed to give the children " easy treatment." in the cases of slight defect, and to allow the children
to have " oral teaching only " when the defect is more severe. The instructions given to the parents
and to the teachers in these cases are set out in the accompanying circulars.
In view of these facts the Council hopes that it may rely on the members of the staff of your
institution to help in any way they can the arrangements for the education of these handicapped
children. At the outset there is often a prejudice in the minds of the parents against anything in the
nature of a separate training for their little ones, since they are not unnaturally unwilling to recognisc
that these are different from other children, but so soon as they are acquainted with the work of the
schools and classes their prejudice melts away. The hospital ophthalmic surgeon is often able to
facilitate this attainment by his considerate comments.
I shall always be grateful for reports concerning defective children ; these may be directed to
me at the above address—i.e., 2, Savoy-hill, W.C.
Yours faithfully,
W. H. Hamer.
The circulars referred to are as follows:—
Notice Regarding the Care of the Eyes.—To Parents or Guardians of
Your child suffers from a defect of vision that prevents him (or her) from joining in the ordinary work
of the school. If it is impossible for you to obtain admission for the child to a special class for shortsighted
children he (or she) may attend an elementary school with a view to gaining the educational advantage of school
discipline and such general knowledge as can be given in the oral lessons of the classes. Reading and writing
of any kind will not be allowed except blackboard work. You are particularly asked to watch your child at
home, to teach games and outdoor play, and to stop all reading and writing. (In the case of a girl, sewing
should be completely stopped, but knitting may be learned provided the child does it by feeling the stitches
and not by looking at them.) The child should be out of doors as much as possible.
W. H. Hamer,
School Medical Officer.
Teaching of children rcconnnendcd by the Medical Officer for "easy treatment," "oral
teachiii"- oulv," or to " sit in the front row."
o J '
Visual defects.—Children recommended for " easy treatment."-—These children usually suffer from a
defect of one eye only or they have defective vision in both eyes of a moderate degree. With reasonable care
school work should not cause strain of the eyes or entail the risk of exaggeration of their visual defect. These
children should sit in the front row of the class, sit upright and not be allowed to stoop over any literary work
allowed them. Girls must do no sewing, but may learn knitting, provided it be taught by touch and not by
sight. Boys and girls should be prohibited the use of books with small print or writing of any sort other than
a bold large-lettered hand. They should not join in exercises that involve the reading or writing of masses
of numerals or geometrical figures. They may read or write in large type preferably for periods not exceeding
20 minutes without a break. They should not be allowed to stoop over their work, and, if it be possible, the
writing should be done free-arm fashion on a blackboard or millboard set up on the desk.
So far as school arrangements allow they should attend all the object lessons, demonstrations and oral
lessons that are given ill the school.
Drill, dancing and games of all kinds may be freely indulged in.
Home lessons of any sort should be prohibited.
Children recommended for " oral teaching only."—These children suffer from some serious defect of vision
such as gradually increasing short sight. When no place can be found for them in a special class, they are
admitted to the elementary school with a view to their gaining the educational advantage of school discipline,
and such general knowledge as can be given them in the oral lessons of the classes.
The use of books, pens, paper, pencils and slates of any kind and for any purpose is to be prohibited,
and the child should be reminded at intervals by the teacher in a friendly chat that the prohibition is for his
or her own benefit and that they must do at home what they are trained to do at school.
If the class arrangements permit they may be allowed to write or draw on the blackboard in large
characters free-arm fashion.
If a girl shows aptitude for handwork she may learn knitting by touch, but not by sight. Similarly a
boy may do the larger kinds of carpentry, but he must not use the rule or draw measured plans.
For the most part these children may drill and dance, but they should be warned against using gymnastic
apparatus or dumb-bells, for example, in connection with the Children's Happy Evenings Association. They
should be cautious in the playground games.
General.—The head teacher should, in the course of each year, draw the attention of the school doctor
to these children, and give the doctor information as to their educational progress or any difficulties which may
have arisen in connection with the cases.
W. H. Hamer,
School Medical Officer.
Provision of
spectacles.
Assistance in obtaining spectacles is given by the Local Associations of Care Committees under
the general guidance and help of the London Central Spectacles Committee. The following statement
is taken from the Annual Report of the Central Committee issued May 21st, 1914, and signed by the
Chairman, Miss Margaret Frere.
Statement on
the Work of
Local
Spectacles
Committees
for the year
ending
March 31st,
1914.
"In each district a Sub-Committee of the Local Association is responsible for the Spectacles \Y ork
of the area, except in St. Marylebone, where there is no Committee, but the Local Association asks for
Annual Reports of Spectacle Work from the School Care Committees, and the following four areas
where the Spectacles Committee is an independent one, specially formed for the purpose:—
Battersea and Wandsworth. Lambeth.
Stepney. Shoreditch.