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7
be detrimental to the children if an attempt was made to teach
them to be right-handed; and I was able to assure the teachers
that no such imagined danger to the children would result from
this education in right-handedness. Thanks to the Head
Teachers of Boys' and Girls' Departments in the Borough I have
been able to arrive at an estimate of the number of left-handed
children in our area and some interesting details regarding them.
Out of our total school population of 7,410, returns have
been received in regard to 6,058 children. Of these there are,
239 who are left-handed, and 87 who are ambidextrous. A
family history of left-handedness exists in 63 immediate
relations.
Of the left-handed children 42 are dull and backward, 181
are of normal intelligence, and 16 more than usually bright.
Of the ambidextrous children 15 are dull and backward, 69
are of ordinary intelligence and 3 are above the normal in
mentality. Only 6 of the left-handed children speak with a
stutter.
Further details regarding these children are given in Table
11 at the end of this Report. Tf left-handedness, like deafness
or stammering, is of detriment to the child in after life, it is
obvious that to remedy this while the child is still at school
will be of value to the child.
These cases may demand much patience and perseverance
from the teachers; but it is labour that is well spent.
\
A REVIEW OF THE METHODS EMPLOYED FOR
TREATMENT.
Treatment can be provided for the ailing child in one of
three ways:—(1) From the general practitioner in his capacity
as family physician; (2) at the voluntary Hospitals; and (3)
at the School Clinic.
The School Clinic is situated in Topsfield Parade, Crouch
End, and during the year it has been instrumental in providing
treatment for 3,251 children, who attended there on 10,700
occasions.