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(d) Tuberculosis.—As in previous years all children showing
suspicious signs of pulmonary tuberculosis were reported to the
Tuberculosis Officer. In 1928 the number so reported was 19.
Arrangements exist whereby delicate children, especially those
coming from houses where cases of tuberculosis are known to live,
may be sent for varying periods to open-air residential schools.
(e) Skin disease.—Apart from impetigo, the only skin
diseases of any significance discovered during the year were ringworm
of the body (3 cases), ringworm of the scalp (1 case) and
cabies (14 cases). All the cases of scabies received treatment at
the Cleansing Station and the case of ringworm of the scalp was
submitted to X-ray treatment.
(f) External eye disease and defects of vision.—The principal
external eye diseases dealt with were squint (45 cases),
blepharitis—an inflammatory condition of the eye lids—(10
cases), and conjunctivitis (15 cases). An endeavour has been
made to secure the attendance at the ophthalmic clinic of all children
under five years of age found at the Maternity and Child
Welfare Centres to be suffering from squint. This condition can
be treated satisfactorily only if the sufferers receive adequate
expert supervision at an early age.
One hundred and thirty-one children, or 4.9 per cent. of those
submitted to routine inspection, were found to have defective
vision. The school oculist, who attends twice weekly at the
Central Clinic, examined 612 children and discovered a total of
467 defects, of which 387 were errors of refraction. Glasses
were prescribed in 318 cases. Fifty-four children received treatment
otherwise than under the Local Education Authority's
scheme.
(g) Ear disease and hearing.—Eleven cases of deafness were
referred for treatment and 6 for observation. Forty cases of ear
discharge were found to require treatment, as compared with 20
in 1927.
"In the Aural Clinic the number and severity of cases of chronic
otorrhœa which come for treatment diminish, whereas the number
of those which pome for treatment during the acute stage
remains high. These latter are easily treated, the great majority
recover quickly and do not enter the chronic stage.