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Impetigo still remains troublesome, whilst the cases of scabies
attending have also shown a small increase.
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 or under constant medical supervision.
Adenoids and Enlarged Tonsils.
During 1931, 301 cases of tonsils only, 21 cases of adenoids
only, and 287 cases of adenoids and enlarged tonsils, a total of
609 cases, were recommended for treatment. In 506 cases the
Local Education Authority was requested to arrange for the
operation.
There were 99 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 anaesthetist, for
periods of 3 months, and remunerated by the Education Committee.
All other expenses of the Clinic are also borne by the
Committee.
The cases were examined at the Throat Clinic prior to the
operation.
506 children were operated upon, a decrease of 102 on 1930.
In 86 cases detention in the hospital was necessary; 420 were
conveyed home by ambulance a few hours after the operation,
Where possible it is preferable for all children to be kept in
hospital for one or two nights after this operation. In all there
were 193 non-attendances.
In 12 cases the operation was not successful in as much as
tonsillar tissue to a greater or less degree was left behind. In 4
of the cases a second operation was succesfully performed.
Of the 506 children operated on 296 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. The percentage of children operated on, who
attended for exercises, was 59%, compared with 64% in 1930.
105 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
defraved bv the parent and not by the Local Education Authority
Only the following conditions are considered to warrant the
reference of a child for operation, as it is held that lymphoi