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282
480 children were operated upon, an increase of 144 on 1935.
The cases referred have all come within the terms of the three
definitions given below. All cases are kept in hospital for at least
one night after the operation unless the parent expressly desires
otherwise and is prepared to take all responsibility. During the
year no parent accepted this responsibility. If needful, children
are kept longer. All children are conveyed home by ambulance.
In all there were 277 non-attendances.
Of the 480 children operated on 227 attended the Remedial
Exercises Clinic for post-operative breathing exercises. This is a
very important complement to the operation. The percentage of
children operated on, who attended for exercises, was 47 per cent.
compared with 41 per cent. in 1935.
53 cases came to the knowledge of the department for whom
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.
A few cases were operated upon in Mayday Hospital.
Only the following conditions are considered to warrant the
reference of a child for operation:—
(a) Tonsils which are enlarged and septic, especially if in conjunction
therewith the tonsillar glands are also enlarged.
(b) Obstruction to breathing through one or both nostrils.
(c) The presence of mouth breathing.
The Inspection Clinic.
This is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The
object of the Inspection Clinic is (a) to examine children referred
by parents or teachers for special examination ; (b) children sent
by school attendance officers for an opinion as to their fitness or
otherwise to attend school; (c) children referred for examination
under the provisions of the Education Act, 1918, Sec. 15; (d) cases
in whom a further examination is desired after routine medical
inspection; (e) children referred under the Juvenile Employment
regulations. 1,732 attendances were made by children during the
year, an increase of 47.