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These figures cannot be compared exactly with those set out
in Table IV., Group 2, in the Appendix, as in a number of
instances children were suffering from multiple visual defects.
Particulars as to the routine adopted at the Eye Clinic were
set out in the report for 1924.
(e) Ear Disease. .
157 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 is a
source of serious disabilty to the child, not merely involving prolonged
absence from school, but by its very nature rendering 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 the report of
1923 reference was made to a form of electrical treatment
(ionisation) adopted in some areas for particular types of the
condition with a considerable degree of success, usually after a
very short period of treatment. I feel that, now that the new clinic
premises are in use, the time has arrived when the application
of this method of treatment should be considered, in the interests
both of health and of education.
Dental Defects.
Out of the total of 5,203 children found to need dental treatment,
3,228 actually received such treatment at the Dental Clinic,
of whom 129 were re-treated during the year as a result of reexamination
in school. Details as to the number of attendances,
number of extractions and fillings, etc., are given in Table IV.,
Group 4, at the end of the report. I would draw attention to the
marked change in the activity of the dental work, arising primarily
from the thoroughness and enthusiasm with which Mr. Senior, the
Committee's senior dental surgeon, has applied himself to the work
of bringing the dental scheme into effective operation.
Throughout the year dental inspection and treatment was
carried out by one whole-time dental surgeon (Mr. Senior) and one
part-time dental surgeon (Mr. Oddie). Early in 1926 the Committee
decided to proceed to the next stage of zhe development of
the dental scheme, and a second whole-time dentist was appointed
—to take up duty in April—in place of Mr. Oddie. It will not be
out of place to refer to the fine pioneer work done by Mr. Oddie ip
developing the work of school dentistry in Croydon up to the point
at which fuller service was required than could possibly be given