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ties, very often the result of a "don't care" attitude towards life.
As in both these conditions the active and willing co-operation
of the patient is frequently lacking, these cases are presenting
a real and increasing problem as to how they should be
handled. In the first instance it is very largely a matter of
discipline both at home and at school. The importance of
effective physical education in all secondary schools is still
a matter that needs careful attention, and anything that can
be done along these lines will help us in the Orthopaedic
Department.
I wish to thank Miss Cheeseman and all the staff in the
Clinic for their continued help during the year."
and to Mr. B. Lawson, F.R.C.S., for the following:—
"There has been no marked change in the type of cases
referred to the Children's Clinic at Bexley during the past
year. The general health of the children has been good.
Orthopaedically one of the main problems that has concerned
the Orthopaedic surgeon is the many variations from
normal and the difficulty in deciding which are large enough
variations to be considered deformities. Minoj disturbances
from normal are p000000ossible with perfectly normal function but
some deformities, if left alone, will cause arthritic changes in
later life. Some of these could be prevented by operative
treatment but the operative treatment itself carries with it
a certain morbidity.
These many and variable factors make decision as to
operative treatment a difficult problem."
Opthalmic Clinic.
I am indebted to Mr. R. M. Chambers, M.B., B.S.,
D.O.M.S. for the following report:—
"The attendance during the year has been satisfactory and
only a very few patients have defaulted repeatedly. If a second
appointment is not kept, unless the patient is of school leaving
age, a visit is usually made by one of the staff to try
to overcome difficulties of ignorance, apathy or transport.
I much appreciate these efforts.
A number of patients attending for the first time lose
their way, for Little Danson Clinic is not easy to find. I am
sure it would be a great help if a small map of the vicinity
could be enclosed with the appointment form of all first
attenders.
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