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106
This represents an increase of 4,964 on the numbers treated under the Council's
scheme during the year.
Further particulars under the headings of the various ailments dealt with are
as follows:—
(a) Minor Ailments.—97,918 children received minor ailments treatmentwhich
is 1,848 less than were treated during 1927. The number of actual
attendances by the children (1,605,831) for treatment was, however, greater
than the previous year. During 1928, there were 109 children suffering from
ophthalmia and interstitial keratitis referred to the Metropolitan Asylums
Board's Residential School at White Oak, Swanley. Among these were 16
cases of trachoma and 12 cases of interstitial keratitis.
(b) Ringworm.—As has been experienced for some years past the number
of children treated for ringworm has again declined. The number dealt with
was 516, as compared with 644 during 1927. This improvement bears
eloquent testimony to the increasing care and attention paid to personal
hygiene.
(c) Visual Defects.—40,984 children were dealt with under the Council's
scheme for refraction, or 691 more than last year. Spectacles were
prescribed in 28,977 instances, and 25,887 children obtained them, a proportion
of 89'3 per cent. A new centre was opened at Downham during
the year.
(d) Nasal and Aural Defects.—The number of cases treated under the
Council's scheme was 20,162, or 1,986 more than in 1927. 15,036 children
received operative treatment for enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and of these
12,866 were retained as in-patients at the 11 centres where special arrangements
have been made. During the year this form of treatment was extended
to the St. George's Dispensary. The only centres at which out-patient treatment
is given are the Fulham and Hammersmith Centre and the Metropolitan,
St. Mary's and South Eastern Hospitals. It is hoped that during the next
twelve months in-patient treatment will be provided at the Hammersmith
centre and at the Metropolitan and South Eastern Hospitals.
Report of
Dr. A. G.
Wells on
the aural
work for
the year
1928.
Dr. A. G. Wells has submitted the following report upon the work of the aural
department. The staff of assistant aurists has been increased during the year by
the appointment of Dr. Savege, who attends on five sessions per week, with the
result that the amount of work done this year considerably exceeds that done in
1927, and it has been possible to reduce arrears. This is shown by the greatly
diminished length of the waiting lists, and the reduction of the number of long
standing cases. Earlier cases are now more generally being treated, which tends to
speedier work and greater numbers can be dealt with. The following tables show
the particulars of the work done :—