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large type for the use of the short-sighted. Where the myopia is high and progressive, or where
fundus changes are marked, the children are kept strictly to myopic regulations, and are read
to by others. In teaching, various devices such as French gramophone records are used, and
full advantage is taken of the metal and woodwork, laundry and cookery centres attached to
the school. At these centres modification to suit the myopes is made in work such as drawing
and measuring, the children's interests are diverted from book work, and much valuable training
is given.
Four myopes were successful at the London Chamber of Commerce examination during
the year 1931-32, gaining distinctions in geography (3), English (2), arithmetic (2), and
history (1), and passes in English (2), history (1) and French (1). These attainments bear
witness to the fact that, in spite of the handicap of short sight, the myopes compare very
favourably with the normal central school pupils. Examinations of this type are specially suitable
for myopes, in that subjects can be taken singly or several at a time.
By arrangement with the examining bodies, all public examinations of myopes both at
secondary and central schools are taken under sight-saving conditions.
The headmaster reports that in the school examinations of March, 1932, myopes were, in
science, first in four classes and third in one; in mathematics, first in two classes and second in
three; in art, first and second in one class; in English, first in one class, fourth in one and
fifth in two; in history, first in two classes, second in two and fifth in one; in geography, first
in two classes and second in one; and in French, first in two classes. In memory tests in
particular the myopes are said to excel. Drawing is done on a large scale, and one boy has
designed a poster which has been accepted for exhibition by the Royal Society of Arts at South
Kensington.
The above results speak for themselves.
On leaving school the teachers give valuable advice and help to myopes in obtaining suitable
occupations, and their special teacher, who, by her cheerfulness and efficiency, has had much
influence with the children, has taken a particular interest in this matter.
Three of those who took London Chamber of Commerce examinations have now left school.
One hopes to become a commercial traveller; another studies pharmacy and is with a firm
of chemists, and a third is training as a buyer in a sheet and blanket firm. Of the others who
have left, one went to the stationery department of a large warehouse, one to train as a saleswoman
in a gown shop, one to work as a florist, one to the piano department of a well-known
firm, and one to do light work on a farm. Only one child took up clerical work, and it is believed
that she has since obtained more suitable employment.
Records of a total of 15 myopes who have been at the school for two years or more show
that the mean average increase of the myopia has been 0-214 dioptre per eye per year.
At the Hugh Myddelton central school there was until recently only the technical bias,
commercial training having been introduced for the first time this year. No pupils have yet
sat for the London Chamber of Commerce examinations. Instruction is, on the whole, similai
to that at the Ensham central school. " Bulletin " typewriters, which are a great advantage
in the higher education of myopes, have not yet been introduced. The myopes are also handicapped
by the fact that their special classroom is in the school for the mentally defective,
apart from the central school building, and is on the ground floor where lighting is not of the best.
Their special teacher is, however, keen and enthusiastic, and by hard work has managed to
overcome many difficulties, in which she is helped by the head master and staff.
The results of the last yearly examinations show that at this school also the myopes, as a
rule, do more than hold their own amongst the ordinary children. Out of 16 classes, myopes were
first in two, second in one and third in three.
When possible the parents of myopes leaving school are seen by the special teacher and
advised as to suitable occupations.
Of 15 who have left one is an outdoor assistant to a grocer, one (a girl, not myopic, but with
nystagmus and defective vision) is training as a dancer, two work in stock rooms of a domestic
bazaar and of a wholesale jeweller, one does domestic work at home, one is a general hand in a
printing factory, one is with a firm of cabinet makers, one helps his father on a farm, one is in a silk
merchant's warehouse, one is training in laundry supervision, and one is in a cricket-bat factory.
So far as can be ascertained, only four have taken up unsuitable occupations, two being
clerks, one a hairdresser, and one in his father's tailoring shop.
The mean average increase in a total of 15 myopes who have been at the school for two years
or more is 0 • 195 dioptre per eye per year.
As a result of this investigation it has been decided that, if and when possible,
there should be some extension of the higher education of myopes at central schools.
If possible the special classroom will in all cases be within the building used by the
ordinary children.
Increase in
myopia.
Dr. J. H. Mcllroy has conducted an investigation into the incidence and progress
of myopia in school children attending treatment centres between 1926 and 1933.
During this period 284 children were repeatedly examined under cycloplegia ;
and, of 137 boys, 77 per cent, were found to be hypermetropic and 23 per cent,
myopic ; while of 147 girls, 73 per cent, were hypermetropic and 27 per cent, myopic ;