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87
Special Examination.
In addition to the foregoing numbers, 1,316 children have
been examined who were kept apart by the teachers, and 22
were examined for special schools.
Eye Disease and Vision.
During 1911 refraction work has been carried out by the
School Oculist, Mrs. Marshall Banham, M.B. The examination
is carried out at the Priory Offices, in a room specially fitted for
this purpose; and the arrangements for this branch of medical
inspection are most satisfactory.
All cases are first examined by the S.M.O., and selected ones
are sent to the School Oculist, who reports on the treatment
required. Various cases of external eye disease are treated by
the School Nurse, under the supervision of the S.M.O., and much
improvement results in neglected cases, though sometimes the
gain is not lasting, as parents take little interest in a complaint
of long standing which needs constant attention to effect a cure.
In last year's report, the scheme for examination of eyesight
was explained, but it may be pointed out that in practice there
are many obstacles to be overcome before suitable glasses are
provided and worn by the children.
The objection to spectacles is most marked in the poorer
parts of the district. Parents do not realise, when a child is
young, that a neglected squint will probably lead to blindness in
that eye later in life, and a warning that spectacles are required
is often met with a refusal " to have the eye tampered with.''
Again, notices are served calling attention to the fact that
the atropine ointment necessary in refraction cases will appear
to temporarily affect the sight, and asking for the parents' consent
to the treatment before its commencement. The ointment is
applied in school by the School Nurse for four days before the
child sees the Oculist. It is quite common for no objection to
be raised for two or three days, and then the parents send a note