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119
(d) Vision and External Eye Diseases.
The Eye Clinic is held at the Town Hall on two mornings
each week, and is conducted by a part-time ophthalmic specialist,
with the assistance of a nurse, who divides her time between the
eye and dental clinics.
615 children underwent a refraction test during the year at
the eye clinic, and in 468 of these spectacles were prescribed. In
addition, 51 children underwent examination and received advice
for other defects or for diseases of the eye.

Spectacles are not provided, but can be obtained at reduced
rates from an optician in the town. The procedure came under
review by the Committee at the end of the year, and at the time
of preparation of this report, arrangements had just been completed
with the opticians in question for the spectacles provided
for children tested at the school clinic to be forwarded to the
clinic, in order that the accuracy and fit of the spectacles might
be verified. At the same time the following up of cases of unnecessary
delay in obtaining spectacles will be facilitated.
(e) Ear Disease.
130 children received treatment at the School Clinic on account
of ear diseases; the great majority of these were suffering
from ear discharge. These children attended daily for treatment
by gentle syringing with antiseptic lotions. Chronic ear discharge,
though commonly regarded by parents as a comparatively
trivial ailment, is a source of serious disability to the child.
It not merely involves frequently prolonged absence from school,
but its very nature renders the child objectionable to others,
while its association with deafness and with risks of grave disease
of bone and even of meningitis make it a condition needing serious
attention. In some areas a form of electrical treatment (ionisation)
has recently been tried in particular types of the condition
with a considerable degree of success, usually after a very short
period of treatment. The adoption of such treatment in suitable
cases is a matter for practical consideration.