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The probability is that both factors have played their part and that, while
conditions have been favourable to the development of an increased amount of
throat disease, there has also been a change in attitude leading to the adoption of
more active measures in dealing with them.
Ear diseases.
Otorrhoea (or running ears) was found in 2,853 children during routine inspection,
or 1.44 per cent. This is a slight increase upon the proportion found in 1924—viz.,
1.32 per cent.
As ear discharge is commonly produced by unhealthy throat conditions, owing
to the spread of catarrh along the Eustachian tube to the middle ear, the increased
incidence is to be ascribed to the greater prevalence of unhealthy throat conditions
during the year.
Defect of hearing was reported in 1,168 children. The proportion (0.59 per
cent.) was identical with that present in the year 1924.
Otorrhcea
after scarlet
fever.
The arrangement made with the Metropolitan Asylums Board, in the case of
three of their isolation hospitals, for the notification to the Council of all children who
suffer from aural symptoms during scarlet fever has been continued. Such children
have been specially kept under observation in school by the medical staff in order
that any recurrence of the disease may not escape detection in its early stages.
During 1925, 130 cases were reported of children actually attending London schools,
of whom 11 were found to suffer from further attacks of otorrhcea. Of this latter
number 5 cases were subsequently reported to be cleared up.
Enlarged
glands of the
neck.
Enlarged glands of the neck were noted in 9,398 children (4.75 per cent.) lhis
was an increase over 1924, when the percentage was 4.23, while in 1923 it was 3.9.
The simultaneous increases in these conditions which accompany unhealthy
throat conditions make it evident that there has been a real increase in the latter,
due, as was suggested last year, to the effect of climatic conditions and the prevalence
of infectious complaints.
Visual
defects.
53.1 per cent. of 8.year.old boys and 54.9 per cent. of 8-year-old girls failed to
pass the test for normal vision with both eyes tested separately. In the 12-year-old
group 42 per cent. of boys and 45.9 per cent. of girls failed. These figures correspond
very closely with those of the previous year, the only exception being in the case
of 8-year-old girls whose vision is better this year.
The proportion of children with more serious defect (V=6/12 or worse) was as
follows: 8-year-old boys 18 per cent., girls 18.9 per cent.; 12-year-old boys 20.2 per
cent. girls 21 per cent. Last year the 12-year-old boys were returned as 20.1 per
cent. with more serious defect, and girls as 21.6 per cent. The movement whereby
the excessive defect upon girls in comparison with boys is being reduced is,
therefore, still in progress.
In 1913, boys of 12 showed 22.7 per cent. with vision defect and girls 25.7 per
cent., an excess of 3 per cent. on the girls.
In 1920, boys of 12 showed 20.7 per cent. and girls 22.1 per cent., an excess of
1.4 on girls.
In the present year the figures above show that not only is there somewhat less
vision defect found in both sexes, but the excess in girls is reduced to 0.8 per cent.
The Council's regulations now prohibit the teaching of needlework by artificial
light except in cases in which the school medical officer is satisfied that the artificial
light is sufficient for the teaching of needlework without involving risk of injury to
the children's eyesight.
Further, when on any occasion it is necessary to use artificial light during the
time when instruction, according to the time table, should be given in needlework,
arrangements are made for an alternative lesson to be given.
In order to avoid the necessity for departing too frequently from the time table,
head teachers are required to make provision, where practicable, for instruction in
needlework to be given before 3 p.m. on any given day.