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20
It is reported that there is an increasing tendency on the part of employers to
reject applicants with discharging ears.
Medical and dental treatment.
The arrangements for medical and dental treatment of children attending
public elementary schools and scholars and pupils at secondary, trade and continuation
schools, have proceeded very satisfactorily and the attendances of patients are
once again on the up grade.
No new centres were established during the year, the number where special
arrangements for treatment obtain remains at 74 centres and 17 hospitals, together
with the special in-patient centre at the Cyril Henry centre, Woolwich, and the
dental centre for the children resident at the King's Canadian camp school, Bushy
Park. During the previous year, 1933, there was a drop of 9,500 in the total number
of children dealt with at the various centres compared with the year 1932, but in
1934, 0,858 more children received treatment than in 1933.
The following table sets out the provision made and the actual numbers treated
during 1934:—

Eye defects.
The number of case3 treated in the eye departments of the centres and
hospitals during the year was 40,284 of which it is estimated that 2,000 were cases
in which definite diseases of the eye were treated, the remainder being cases requiring
correction for errors of refraction. It will be seen that this number is slightly less
than that for 1933. During the year the number of cases in which spectacles were
prescribed was 29,599, and spectacles were obtained in 27,497 cases, a similar
percentage (92.9) to the year 1933.
Ear, nose
and throat.
Once again there has been a reduction in the number of ear, nose and throat
cases attending the centres and hospitals. During the year 12,622 cases were seen
and 8,860 operations performed, compared with 14,145 and 10,008, respectively,
during the year 1933. An analysis of the cases shows that in 7,686 the operation
was for both tonsils and adenoids, in 700 cases for enlarged tonsils only, and in
443 cases for adenoid growth only. The remaining 31 cases were mainly operations
for nasal defects in which cauterisation was required. Reference was made last
year to the introduction of passive immunisation against scarlet fever and diphtheria
at the Cyril Henry centre where the work is carried out directly by the Council.
Particulars are given in the section of the report upon infectious diseases (p. 43).
Ringworm.
The incidence of ringworm of the scalp among the 500,000 children in the
London schools is now comparatively rare. During the year only 195 cases were
dealt with at the centres and hospitals of which 118 were treated by X-rays.
Minor
ailments.
The number of minor ailments cases dealt with during the year was 114,809,
including 13,087 cases seen by nurses only. This compares with 110,600 and
11,876, respectively, during the year 1933. The total number of attendances made
by the children at the various centres was 1,400,908.
Dental No additions have been made during the year to the 69 dental centres in
treatment. London. This number does not include the experimental centre at the Berkshireroad
school, which is organised and maintained by the Manor Charitable Trust
specially for the children attending the school. Dental inspections have been held