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151
Injuries to the Ear, due to concussion, fracture of the skull, etc., were only 34,
or 3.04 per cent. of the acquired cases. In the statistics of the older observers,
injuries occupied a far more important place. This was, however, due to the fact
that the statements of parents were too much relied upon. The examples now
entered are those only in which investigation has proved that definite injury could
be proved as a cause.
At the end of 1928, 44 girls were being taught under sight-saving conditions,
namely, 23 at Clapton Secondary and 21 at Peckham Secondary Schools. At Raine's
Foundation School there were 7 boys.
Myopes in
seoondary
schools.
Myope classes at secondary schools have now been in existence for over 2 years
and, so far, the results have been, with very few exceptions, satisfactory. The mean
average increase in 24 girls who have been examined regularly for 1 or 2 years has
been 0.24 dioptre per eye per year, an increase, if anything, slightly less than amongst
children attending the Myope classes of elementary schools. The boys, few in number,
have been examined over shorter periods and the progress of their myopia cannot
fairly be judged, but the indication is that it is taking place at a rather greater rate
than amongst the girls. Owing to choroidal degeneration it is probable that one
boy may be required to leave school at 14. In spite of repeated advice to the contrary,
he has been doing close work out of school.
In school the recommendations as to treatment of myopia are strictly adhered
to. Experiment is being made with the " touch " method of typewriting at both
Clapton and Peckham. The keys of the typewriter are blackened and, instead of the
usual ribbon, carbon is inserted between two sheets of paper so that the writing is
invisible to the operator. The girls sit upright, looking in front of them, and type
to music from special rhythmic typing records in a gramophone. This typing is
simply a substitute for essay or other work in large writing done to hand in to the
teacher, and the myopes do not themselves read the script even after it is completed.
A large size of type is, to a limited extent, used for examination questions in subjects
such as arithmetic, which the children have themselves to read. Modifications are
made in the work allowed according to the degree and progress of the myopia.
In the junior classes myopes take a good place, but as the work gets harder
the difficultv of working without books increases.
Myope classes for both sexes were started in the Ensham and Hugh Myddelton
Central Schools after Easter, 1928. The numbers in attendance at the end of the
year were 17 at the former and 18 at the latter school, with an almost equal division
of boys and girls. At each school the Myopes have a special room with their own
teacher and apparatus, where most of their work is done. Subjects such as singing,
art, French and science are taken with the ordinary children under the teachers of
those subjects. Both classes are now well organised for work under sight saving
conditions.
Myopes in
central
schools.
As in the secondary school myope classes, the children's eyes are medically
examined at least every six months. At the admission examination leaflets are
handed to the parents, as follows:—
Advice to
parents of
myopes
attending
secondary
and central
schools.
"Your child suffers from a considerable defect of the eyes so that it is shortsighted.
Secondary education under ordinary conditions would cause eyestrain
and lead to increase in the visual defect. Besides, the weakness of the sight
seriously handicaps the child when close work has to be done.
"To meet the needs of short-sighted children, classes have been formed in connection
with secondary and central schools, where those parts of the school work
which would be harmful to children with delicate eyes may be taken in better and
easier circumstances.
"Children taught under sight-saving conditions participate with others in all
lessons that can be learned by listening to the teacher. For lessons that need
reading or writing, instead of using books and pens, each child has a special desk