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(f) Ear Disease and Defective Hearing.—The treatment of simple ear conditions
is still undertaken at the clinics under the supervision of your medical officers, but
the more difficult cases are still sent to Queen Mary's Hospital.
Many of these ear conditions are chronic, either as primary diseases in
themselves or as the result of one of the infectious fevers, and the treatment must
be frequent and carried over a period of perhaps weeks.
Zinc ionisation is the accepted form of treatment for such cases and I trust
that the inauguration of a full-time Ear, Nose and Throat Department, as one of
your special services, will meet a need which has been felt by your medical officers
for some time.
(g) Dental Defects.—Dental inspection and treatment are carried out by
three full-time dentists. Children are inspected periodically at school, and
treatment is undertaken at the dental clinics. Details of the work carried out will
be found on pages 186 to 187 and 195 to 196.
(h) Orthopwdic and Postural Defects.—Where children are examined at school
and clinics and are found to need treatment for orthopaedic and postural defects
this treatment is undertaken by a special staff, under the guidance of Mr. B.
Whitchurch Howell, F.R.C.S., your specialist consultant in this work, at the
Faircross Clinic. The arrangements at the Faircross Clinic, as I have stated
previously, are inadequate for the ever-increasing amount of work.
(i) Heart Disease and Rheumatism.—Cases of heart disease and rheumatism
are not treated as separate entities under your present scheme, and the time is
approaching when you may wish to consider the provision of suitable accommodation
for the treatment of such cases, whereby prolonged rest and education can go hand
in hand.
(j) Tuberculosis.—Cases of tuberculosis or suspected tuberculosis are referred
to the County Tuberculosis Dispensary, because the County is responsible for the
treatment of tuberculosis in Barking.
(k) Speech Training.—There is a special class for speech training attached to
the Faircross School and children considered eligible for admission are examined
for physical or organic defects by your medical officers prior to their admission.
(l) Other Defects and Diseases.—Many children suffering from minor defects
and diseases, not already mentioned, are examined at the school clinics, where
appropriate treatment is advised. Others, for the treatment of whom no special
provision has been made, are followed up by school nurses, who urge upon the
parents the importance of obtaining treatment.