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8
Medical and surgical treatment in various forms is provided
by private family doctors, hospitals and other institutions, and
by the Education Authority at the School Clinic.
The Authority's scheme of treatment is set out in tabular
form on page 12.
(a) Minor Ailments.
It is not possible to define a minor ailment or draw any clear
distinction between an ailment which is minor and one which
is major. A condition Which appears trifling to-day may by
to-morrow show signs of becoming a serious illness. But,
generally speaking, the minor ailments treated by the Clinic
Nurse include sores, cuts, skin diseases, inflamed eyelids, etc.
The prompt and efficient treatment of these conditions is not
only essential in the interest of the children treated, but also in
the interest of the general hygiene of the Schools.
(b) Throat Operations.
These operations were transferred from the School Clinic to
the Hornsey Central Hospital in 1929, and the new arrangements
are working satisfactorily.
(c) Defective Vision.
It is unnecessary to stress the great importance of routine
testing of the vision of school children, followed by complete
examination at the Clinic of those found to have defective
vision, and the prescription of glasses to correct the defects.
This work is done by the School Oculist, working two sessions
per week.
(d) Ear Disease and Defective Hearing.
An important and effective branch of treatment is that
carried out by the School Aurist, Dr. Friel, each Saturday
morning.
The purpose of this work is the cure of ear discharge and
the relief of deafness of varying degree. Conservative methods
are employed with such success that the more radical surgical
procedures in the nose and throat are becoming less necessary.