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up this prolonged attendance. From the child's point of view it
is, therefore, often better to allow him to remain as he is for
the present. A longer stay in hospital with the more efficient
after-treatment which he would receive would lead to quicker
healing than subsequent irregular attendance at an out-patient
department. It is very desirable that certain wards in a
hospital should be set aside for the treatment of school children
suffering from mastoid disease to which patients from several
adjacent areas could be sent. The wards should be under the
care of an aurist responsible to the Local Authorities for the
treatment. It would be a beneficial and economical arrangement,
enabling children to be sent out to their work in the world
without the disability of a chronic discharge from the ear.
A. R. F."
(e) The Dental Scheme.
The most important change in the School Medical Service in
1931 affected the dental department. The part-time system
of dental service employing three dentists doing a total of 10
sessions of work weekly was abandoned, and a whole-time
dentist doing 11 sessions of work weekly was appointed. Dr.
Betty C. Hamilton commenced the duties of this post in April.
Her scheme is to do a dental inspection of all the scholars in
a school and then to provide the necessary treatment at the
School Clinic of the children who require it and whose parents
consent. All the elementary schools are dealt with in similar
fashion, and, when the tour of schools is completed, it is
repeated in the same order. One whole-time dentist is not able
to complete the dental inspection and treatment of all the
elementary schools in a year. The tour of the schools will
occupy about 15-16 months.
(f) The Orthopædic Scheme.
The scheme of treatment for crippling defects and
deformities started in 1929 is a joint arrangement between the
Maternity and Child Welfare and Education Committees. This
service is provided very effectively by arrangement with the
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. It comprises: —
(a) A monthly session at the School Clinic by the Orthopaedic
Surgeon.