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96
Defective Vision.
Of the 159 boys inspected between the ages of 13 and 16
years, 34 or 21 per cent, were found defective to the extent of
requiring treatment,
Of the 160 girls inspected, 27 or 17 per cent, were found so
defective.
During the past year the examination in the schools has been
by testing the sight with Snellen's Test Type. By this method it is
possible to form a rough general estimate of the amount of defective
vision in schools, but the diagnosis was not of strict scientific
accuracy. Children with perfectly acute vision should, in a good
light, be able to read the smallest type (technically known as 6/6),
As however, the illumination in several of the classrooms was not
good at the time of the examination, a lower standard had to be
taken, and those who were unable to read a larger type (6/12) at a
distance of 20 feet are classed as defective in vision.
Many of these "children have also been examined with the ophthalmoscope,
and where the result of this method of examination
confirmed the earlier tests the parents of the children were urged
to obtain medical treatment. In some oases suitable spectacles were
obtained, but in many instances it was found that parents were too
poor to provide glasses for the children, so in November, 1908,
the Urban District Council granted the sum of £50 towards the
provision of spectacles in necessituous cases.
Teeth
As might be expected the examination of the children revealed
the extremely bad condition of the teeth.
An arbitrary standard had to be observed, and in the above
tables, only those who had 4 or more carious teeth are included
amongst the children who have defective teeth.
Unsuitable foods leads to decay of the teeth, which is due to the
cessation of the use of food which requires good mastication, and the
soft or starchy foods are more apt to leave particles behind which
cause decay.
In children, attending the Priory, Beaumont Park and South
Action Schools the greatest number of carious teeth was observed