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with 53,066 in the previous year. At the resulting medical examinations the nutritional
classification, on the Board's scale, of the children was as follows :—

The very large increase in the numbers submitted for nutritional classification
should be noted, as it is due to the anxiety that the children needing milk in school
or other help should not be missed. Although so many more children were considered
than in 1935 the number found to be seriously ill-nourished was fewer, being
493 compared with 827.
Audiometries
examination
in
elementary
schools.
In November, 1934, following experimental use, systematic audiometric examination
of children in the elementary schools, by means of the gramophone audiometer
was introduced by the Council. The object of this scheme is the ascertainment of
defective hearing in one or both ears, especially in its early stages, so that (a) by
means of timely treatment the defective condition may be remedied and permanent
deafness in later life averted, and (b) the suitable educational environment for the
child may be decided upon. One unit was established in the north-west division
of the county in November, 1934, a second unit in the south-east division in May,
1935, and a third unit in 1936 in the south-western division thus completing the
development foreshadowed in the three-year programme.
A unit consists of one gramophone audiometer ; one full time nurse, who carries
out the testing of the children in the schools, and is present at the clinical examination;
and an otologist, who conducts one clinical examination and one treatment session
each week.
The work is under the direction of Mr. A. G. Wells, to whom I am indebted for
the following report:—
Audiometric
work.
The number of children tested during the year was 45,579, and the total number of individual
tests was 53.375. Particulars of children who failed are shown in the following table

The subjoined table gives the total number of ears tested and shows the number falling in
4 separate groups, viz. —3 to 6 decibels = the passes ; 9 decibels = those who just failed ; 12 to
18 decibels = moderate degree of hearing loss ; 21 and upwards = severer degree of hearing
loss.- (The audiometer records are graded in steps of three decibels.)