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In addition, 27 children, seen as routine cases, were found to
be suffering from squint, and 42 (0.6 per cent.) had external eye
disease requiring treatment.
(d) Ear Disease.
32 children, or 0.4 per cent. of those examined during routine
inspection, had markedly defective hearing, and 25 (0.3 per cent.)
showed evidence of a notable degree of ear disease.
(e) Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids.
Of the children examined during routine inspection, 307 (4.2
per cent.) had enlarged tonsils and adenoids requiring treatment,
and a further 72 (1.0 per cent.) had other markedly unhealthy conditions
of the naso-pharynx, while 553 (7.5 per cent.) were affected
in slighter degree.
The number referred from routine inspection for treatment was
smaller, and for observation was greater than in 1923; this arose
from an adjustment of standard to that laid down by the Chief
Medical Officer of the Board of Education in recent annual reports.
A further considerable number were referred, 129 for treatment
and 234 for observation, as a result of a special enquiry, conducted
during the year, into the incidence of adenoids in the various
schools. The report of the enquiry is set out in the appendix
(page 34).
(f) Lymphatic Glands.
In 8 children, seen as routine cases, the cervical glands were
enlarged to an extent needing treatment, while in 143 other cases,
the children were kept under observation.
(g) Dental Disease.
595 children (8.1 per cent.) were referred for treatment on
account of dental decay. This, of course, does not give an accurate
picture of the prevalence of dental caries among school children.
The school dentists, examining the six-year-old children with
mirror and probe, found during the year that some 83 per cent. of
the children needed dental treatment.
Particulars are given subsequently as to the marked effect of
dental treatment at this age in safeguarding the teeth at later ages.
(h) Heart and Circulation.
The number of children found to be in need of treatment for
organic heart disease was small (2). A considerable number (85)