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105
EYE DISEASES.—It is already agreed that the Ophthalmic
Surgeon's services will be more effective when accommodation is
provided at the Town Hall, where selected children can attend for
more detailed examination than is practicable on school premises.
As soon as that is done the Committee will have to consider the
best means of assisting children to procure suitable spectacles at
prices within the means of their parents. From enquiries I find that
there is not likely to be any difficulty in arranging with one or
more opticians to supply school children at reduced prices. Even
these prices—varying from 1s. 9d. to 4s. 6d., according to the kind
of spectacles required—cannot be paid by the very poor, nnd where
this difficultyf arises, I propose referring the children to the Guild of
Help.
THROAT AND NOSE DISEASES.—Apart from infectious diseases
those most commonly requiring treatment are enlarged tonsils and
adenoids. For these, the provision made at the General Hospital,
and—to a limited extent—elsewhere, meets the needs of school
children. Since May 13th, 1908, the House Surgeons at the General
Hospital have kindly supplied me each week with a list of children
operated upon, in order that the teachers may be asked to pay
special attention to breathing exercises. One hundred and twentyeight
children have been so reported to me up to the end of the year,
and I take this opportunity of thanking the Resident Stall of the
Hospital for their kind co-operation and assistance. I believe
that by attention to the after treatment we shall minimise the
danger of relapse, and secure better permanent results.
As long as the General Hospital finds itself able to cope with
the number of throat cases referred for treatment, I do not think
there is any necessity for additional assistance, but it is most
important that my department should be supplied with a sufficient
number of hospital out-patient letters. At present much valuable
time is lost in referring parents to charitable persons who may or
may not have spare letters. An ideal plan would be for the General
Hospital Committee to undertake to admit elementary school
children requiring treatment for tonsils or adenoids as casuality
patients who could receive attention without presenting a
subscriber's letter.
EAR DISEASES.—Seventy-nine or somewhat more than two
per cent, of the children inspected were found to have discharging
ears. It is most important that some systematic effort should be
made to cure these discharges which at present area danger to those
affected and an offence to others. I suggest that as soon as suitable
accommodation has been provided for examination of children at