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82
Defective vision
Ear, nose and throat disease
Ringworm
Minor ailments
Dental defects
Total
Numbers
provided for
(1926).
34,830
14,680
1,574
70,675
125,950
247,709
Numbers
treated
(1926).
37,985
16,168
844
89,709
113,932
258,638
Numbers
treated
(1925).
36,356
15,066
1,167
88,447
112,964
254,000
The excess of numbers treated in some departments over the provision made,
was made up partly by larger numbers seen per session than the agreements provided
for, and partly by the sanctioning of additional sessions for which provision was
made in the estimates when pressure upon the accommodation became apparent
at certain centres. The very remarkable diminution of children suffering from ringworm
is a great testimony to the value and efficiency of the work of the nurses in the
schools coupled with adequate provision for treatment.
The new centres which have been opened during the year are:—
(1) "The Elizabeth Bullock," 376, Wandsworth Road, S.W.8, opened
1.4.26, provides for 660 minor ailments and 1,540 dental cases annually.
(2) Pentonville Centre, 11, Cynthia Street, Finsbury, opened 30.11.26,
provides for 660 minor ailments.
(3) Lewisham Minor Ailment Centre (an addition to the Dental Centre
at 72, Lewisham Park) opened 31.8.26. provides for 660 minor ailments.
(4) The "Hanover Park" Centre, Rye Lane, Peckham, opened 17.5.26;
provides for the in-patient treatment of 1,760 children operated upon for enlarged
tonsils and adenoids.
(5) The "Prunella" Centre, 29, Cable Street, E., opened 1.1.27,
provides for 1,540 dental cases.
(6) The Hoxton Centre, 48, Hoxton Street, N.l, opened 1.1.27. An
additional department provides for 440 cases of ear, nose and throat diseases.
In the following statement the ailments are dealt with separately in the order
suggested by the Board of Education.
(a) Minor ailments.—89,709 children received minor ailment treatment, an
increase of 1,262 on the number for 1925. In pursuance of the arrangement made
with the Metropolitan Asylums Board, 127 children suffering from contagious
ophthalmia or interstitial keratitis were sent to White Oak Residential School,
Swanley. Among these were 20 cases of trachoma and 17 cases of interstitial
keratitis.
(b) Visual defects.—37,985 children were dealt with under the Council's scheme
for refraction. Spectacles were prescribed in 26,718 cases, and 23,593 cases (88.3
per cent.) were obtained.
(c) Nasal and aural defects.—The total number of cases treated was 17,783,
of which 16,168 were treated under the Council's scheme. 11,550 children received
operative treatment at the treatment centres, and of these 6,210 children were
retained after operation under the in-patient scheme at the five centres where this
arrangement has been made. The extension of the scheme by which it is intended
that all operation for throat disease shall be dealt with by in-patient provision is
being steadily forwarded. This scheme began tentatively in January, 1920, at
the Cyril Henry Centre, Woolwich, handed over to the Council for maintenance,
as a memorial to her son, by Lady Henry. The Belgrave Hospital adopted the
practice towards the end of the year 1922, retaining the children for at least three
nights. Later the Highgate New Town Centre was built and equipped in modern
fashion by Mr. and Mrs. R. Kohnstamm in memory of their sons lost in the war.
In-patients have been received here since 1st April, 1923. During the past year,
on 17th May, a centre was opened at Hanover Park, Peckham, and temporary