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(b) Vision.
(1) That a large number of children are suffering from defective vision.
(2) That both their ability to profit by school instruction and, in many cases, their physical health, are prejudicially
affected.
(3) That neglect or delay in treatment may be attended by chronic or permanent disability.
(4) That, owing to the large number of cases, the existing provisions for their examination and treatment
are inadequate; and further, that the delay and loss of time suffered by parents seeking, often from a distance,
hospital treatment for the children affected frequently result in the children not being treated at all.
(5) That the existing accommodation in the hospitals and dispensaries for such treatment is inadequate.
(6) That all cases treated should be re-examined every other year.
(7) That additional provision is desirable for the treatment in the vicinity of the school of all children
suffering from errors of refraction.
(c) Ringworm.
(1) That, owing to this obnoxious and contagious disease, many children, estimated at 2,950 annually in
regular attendance, are prevented from attending school, and expose others to infection at home.
(2) That the cure of the disease by lotions and ointments is a process occupying many months, or, in some
cases even several years, the patient being meanwhile prevented from attending an ordinary school, and remaining
a source of infection.
(3) That the disease is now capable of being cured rapidly by X-ray treatment, the child ceasing at once
to be a source of infection and able to resume school on the re-growth of its hair.
(4) That, owing to the fact that X-ray treatment is provided only at a few hospitals, where its use is greatly
in demand for a variety of adult and other diseases, the treatment is available only to a very limited extent for ringworm
cases.
(5) That the delay and loss of time suffered by parents seeking, often from a distance, treatment for the
children affected frequently results in unwillingness to submit the child for treatment, the child meantime remaining
a source of infection.
(6) That by means of the X-ray treatment, the disease can be practically stamped out, thus rendering unnecessary
the present schools specially maintained for children suffering from it.
(7) That provision is desirable for the treatment of the disease by X-rays at a fixed centre or centres.
(8) That power shall be given to compel the attendance of children for treatment immediately on discovery
of the disease.
(d) Favus.
(1) That the present special treatment of cases of favus disease should be continued.
(e) Suppurating ears; adenoids.
(1) That cases of suppurating or discharging ears are greatly prevalent amongst children, about 1 per cent.,
or 7,500 children being thus afflicted, more especially those in insanitary surroundings.
(2) That neglect of the complaint frequently results in deafness or defective hearing, and sometimes in consequences
dangerous to health, or even life; in most cases the child being more or less disqualified from profiting
by the school instruction.
(3) That the cure of such cases involves skilled syringing of the ears daily as well as dressings.
(4) That such treatment cannot in most cases be given at the child's home, and cannot be undertaken by
the hospitals, even if the parents were able and willing to take the child there for treatment.
(5) That provision is desirable for the proper treatment of suppurating ears in the immediate vicinity of
the school.
(6) That any cases requiring operation or treatment other than as above described, and all cases of enlarged
tonsils or adenoids calling for operation, should be referred to hospital or private treatment.
(f) Debilitated children.
(1) That a considerable number of children living in insanitary conditions are so debilitated as to be unable
fully to profit by instruction in school, or attend without further deterioration.
(2) That such children especially succumb to tubercular infection as well as other diseases.
(3) That it is desirable that further provision be made of schools on the lines of the existing open-air day
schools at which debilitated children could be admitted by the local education authority for short periods.
(g) Tuberculosis.
(1) That tubercular disease with its consequences disqualifies children, if able to attend school, from taking
due advantage of school instruction.
(2) That many cases discharged after treatment from hospital, and other cases not treated in hospital or
convalescent home, require rest and sanitary surroundings for their effective and permanent cure.
(3) That the disease could, in a large number of cases, be arrested or cured if such means were provided for
its treatment in the earliest stages, and that it is of the first importance that it should be so treated.
(4) That children in whom tubercular disease of the bones or joints is detected should be sent to their
private practitioner or to hospitals for treatment.
In answer to the Fourth Question—
(iv.) How should this provision be supplied ?
It would appear that the children attending the elementary schools maintained by the Council,
who require medical treatment, may be divided into three classes—
Class 1. Those requiring care in an institution and out-door life, i.e. (a) debilitated
children; (b) children convalescent from tuberculosis treated surgically; (c) children suffering
from subacute or early tubercular disease.
Class 2. Those requiring operative and in-patient treatment.
Class 3. Those who can be promptly and adequately dealt with in suitably equipped
rooms, e.g., children suffering from teeth defects and simple diseases, eye defects and simple
diseases, skin diseases (chiefly parasitic, e.g., ringworm, scabies, pediculosis, etc.), ear defects
and simple diseases.