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30
Middle ear defects in 423 children
Condition relieved 154
„ much improved 58
„ improved 111
„ not improved 57
Lapsed or left school before final test 43
— 423
Otorrhœa in 67 children
Dry ears 35
Much improved 1
Improved 11
Not improved 13
Lapsed or left school before final test 7
— 67
After-care
clinic,
St. George's
dispensary.
Spectacles.
In all 7,605 diastolisation administrations were given to 591 children, i.e.,
approximately 13 administrations per child treated.
At the St. George's dispensary a special aural centre is maintained where
children suffering from otorrhœa from the Council's residential schools are treated,
and where also the after-care of children who have returned home from the Downs
hospital after mastoid operations is carried out.
The number of "ears" dealt with in children from the residential schools was
174, and the percentage of cure 82.4. The total number of children attending,
including after-care cases, was 584, and the number of attendances made was 8,317.
Spectacles for children in the elementary schools are not provided from the
rates, but parents are assisted by the voluntary London Central Spectacles Committee.
In 1936, 27,744 children were prescribed spectacles at the treatment centres and
hospitals, and of these 26,594 or 95.8 per cent, obtained them. This excellent result
is far the best hitherto attained.

Orthopaedic
treatment.
The provision for orthopaedic treatment in London generally is extensive and
adequate. As local education authority, the Council has established 32 day schools
for the physically defective with accommodation for 3,537 children. These schools
are regularly visited by an orthopaedic surgeon and the care and education of cripples
are maintained at these schools until they reach the age of 16, and a scheme of aftercare
of all children subsequent to their leaving has long been in existence.
There are 11 visiting orthopaedic surgeons employed in connection with the
Council's general and special hospitals. There are 3 special children's hospitals
maintained by the Council to which children suffering from orthopaedic defects are
admitted; these include Queen Mary's hospital, Carshalton, at which there are
1,284 beds and where special facilities are provided for the treatment of orthopaedic
cases. There is no difficulty in finding accommodation immediately for all
orthopaedic cases. These special hospitals are now recognised as hospital schools.
The number of children suffering from orthopaedic defects discharged after treatment
as in-patients in the Council's hospital schools during 1935 was 652, of whom
296 were non-tuberculous and 356 tuberculous.