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51
to continue treatment once daily in order to maintain a cure. Only two others (1
boy and 1 girl) had returned at the time of the last inspection (5th December).
No fresh cases of trachoma, suspected or definite, were encountered during the course
of the inspections.
Of the others, 76 boys were not trachomatous but were suffering from various
forms of conjunctivitis (follicular, granular, catarrhal) sufficiently marked to require
treatment—the more severe, twice or thrice daily and the less severe once daily.
The remainder (6 boys), were only slightly affected and were noted " for observation "
only. Treatment at school was advised in the case of 91 girls once or twice daily as
indicated. Eight girls were marked " for observation." An analysis of the figures
is given in the Table.
It was considered advisable to classify the various forms of conjunctivitis as far
as possible although the distinction between the " follicular " and " granular " type
was sometimes difficult to make. The lid conditions were very much the same type
as those met with at the orphanage. In both institutions it was of interest to note
that there was a tendency for the left eye to be affected more than the right, and in
some cases—particularly those progressing towards recovery—the left was the only
one affected.
The figures for this " solitary " eye affection are as follows :—(Note.—It was
only during the progress of the inspection that this feature was appreciated and
full note of the difference between the two eyes was not made in the earlier inspections.
For this reason the figures are probably under-estimated.)
" Solitary " eye affection as noted.
Anerley Residential School—At time of first inspection— (28th May, 4th and 5th June):—
R.E. chiefly or alone affected, 2 cases out of 190, i.e., 1 per cent.
L.E. „ „ 14 cases out of 190, i.e., 7.3 per cent.
At time of final inspection—(5th December):—
R.E. chiefly or alone affected, nil.
L.E. „ „ 3 cases out of 84, i.e., 3.5 per cent.
Orphanage—At time of first inspection at which note was made {viz., 20th February) :—
R.E. chiefly or alone affected, nil.
L.E. „ „ 8 out of 83 cases, i.e., 9.6 per cent.
At lime of final inspection (4th December):—
R.E. chiefly or alone affected, nil.
L.E. ,, „ 14 out of 87 cases, i.e., 16 per cent.
The tendency for emphasis in the left eye may be of some value in differentiating
the diagnosis of contagious and non-contagious forms of conjunctival disease. In
the contagious forms in which infection is often conveyed to the right eye by a righthanded
person, as in most cases of true trachoma, the right eye alone is affected or
is in advance of the left.
On 25th June at Dr. Mcllroy's request, Dr. Soper examined all the throats of
the affected children in order to find out if any correlation between the eye condition
and state of the tonsils existed. Dr. Soper's report showed that 35 out of the 81
boys on the list (i.e., 43 per cent.), and 36 out of the 102 girls on the list (i.e., 35 per
cent.), showed enlargement of one or both tonsils in varying degrees.
A particularly careful system of ensuring clean towels is in use in this school.
Immediately after use each towel is placed in a receptacle and taken to the laundry
and no towel (face or bath) is used a second time without washing. This precautionary
measure should minimise the risk of contagion to a very great extent. The
further precaution was sugested that instead of a common piece of soap the use of
a form of liquid soap would further minimise the chances of contagion and steps
were taken to have the suggestion carried out. With regard to washing and bathing
arrangements every child has fresh water. Foot and shower baths are used for boys
and girls over 9½ years of age—the younger children have tubs. The water of the
swimming bath is changed and the bath thoroughly cleansed once a week.
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