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These figures may be compared with the analysis of 1,855 blind children of school
age given by Mr. Bishop Harman in the report of 1922 of the Departmental
Committee on the Causes and Prevention of Blindness.
Grouping cases of interstitial keratitis, optic atrophy and choroiditis, conditions
which may be associated with venereal disease, Mr. Harman's percentage is 40.32
compared with 25.69 in 1931, a notable decrease.
The percentage of cases of ophthalmia neonatorum remains practically
unchanged, namely, 19.75 in the cases examined prior to 1922, and 21.10 including
two doubtful cases in 1931.

*Including one doubtful case.
It would appear that, although the percentage of cases of ophthalmia neonatorum
amongst blind children has not decreased, the actual number of cases of blindness
from the disease is lessening. The decrease in numbers, however, is partly due to
change in the definition of blindness introduced in the Blind Persons Act, 1920.
In March, 1931, the total number of children in the Council's elementary schools
was 610,101. Of these, 570,283 were in ordinary schools, 13,044 in special schools,
and 26,774 in central schools. Calculated from the figure 610,101, and including the
two doubtful cases, blindness from ophthalmia neonatorum was 7.37 per 100,000
children. This figure is higher than it should be, as it includes blind children up to
16 years old, whereas most elementary school children leave at 14, but it is given
as a basis for future comparison.
As regards congenital defects, the percentage has increased from 24.04 in Mr.
Harman's group to 38.99 in 1931. This increase is, of course, relative, and is due
mainly to the great fall in the incidence of interstitial keratitis and allied conditions.
It is emphasised that most of the figures given relate to percentages. The
actual numbers in the Council's schools for the blind have fallen from 316 in 1922
to 218 in the spring of 1931. This fall is due partly to change in the definition of
blindness and partly to improved methods of treatment.
Residential and Industrial Schools.
There are seven residential special schools (2 for blind, 2 for deaf, 1 for mentally
defective deaf, 1 for mentally defective boys, and 1 for mentally defective girls)
with a total accommodation for 355 residential and 216 day scholars. To each
school is allocated a medical officer and provision has been made for dental inspection
and treatment.
There are three industrial schools (two for boys, one for girls) with a total accommodation
for 357. To each institution is allocated a medical officer and a dentist.
The medical supervision of the Ponton-road place of detention has been under
the charge of Dr. T. J. T. McHattie, one of the Council's full-time medical officers.
His report is as follows :—
The number of admissions to Ponton-road place of detention during 1931 was 866, of which
744 were boys and 112 girls. In addition, 19 boys returned from hospital or were brought back
Industrial
schools.
Ponton-road
place of
detention.
Residential
schools.
f 2