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No attempt has been made to treat ringworm by means of
thallium acetate, a drug with the peculiarity when taken by mouth
of causing depilation of the scalp. It is not, however, without
danger, and should never be given unless the child is kept in
hospital and under constant medical supervision.
Adenoids and Enlarged Tonsils.
During 1930, 312 cases of tonsils only, 80 cases of adenoids
only, and 340 cases of adenoids and enlarged tonsils, a total of 732
cases, were recommended for treatment. In 608 cases the Local
Education Authority was requested to arrange for the operation.
There were 110 operating sessions at the Croydon General
Hospital. The work is done by a rota of 8 general medical
practitioners working in pairs, as surgeon and anæsthetist, for
periods of 3 months, and remunerated by the Education Committee.
All other expenses of the clinic are also borne by the
Committee.
608 children were examined at the Throat Clinic prior to the
operation.
608 children were operated upon. In 117 cases detention in
the hospital was necessary; 491 were conveyed home by
ambulance a few hours after the operation.
In all there were 227 non-attendances.
In 16 cases the operation was not successful in as much as
tonsillar tissue to a greater or less degree was left behind. In 5
of these cases a second operation was successfully performed.
Of the 608 children operated on 390 (64%) attended the Remedial
Exercises Clinic for post-operative breathing exercises. This
is a very important complement to the operation and is of perhaps
equal importance. It is, therefore, gratifying to note that the
percentage of children operated on, who attended for exercises,
rose from 42 last year to 64 in 1930.
76 cases came to the knowledge of the department where the
parents had obtained treatment from another source; the majority
at a London hospital. In these cases the expenses are defrayed
by the parent and not by the Local Education Authority.