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13
Defects of Heart and Circulation
There is nothing significant to report.
Defects of the Lungs
There was one more case of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a school child
than in the previous year but the numbers remained small.
Pulmonary 4
Non-Pulmonary 1
This represents a rate of 7.3 per 100,000 children which is half-way
between last year's figure of 5.7 and that of 1969, 9.8. There were no
deaths and, indeed, the cases discovered were primary infections which the
child in most cases would probably have overcome without treatment.
During the year under review Tuberculin Tine testing as part of the
medical inspection of all immigrant children was instituted. This test tells
if a child has been exposed to tuberculosis. Chest x-rays are then carried
out to decide if actual disease is present and treatment needed. If so this
is instituted and relatives are followed up at the Chest Clinic to discover
any possible source of infection. The results of the test are given in detail
later in this report under the heading Immigrant Pupils on Page 52. It is
too soon yet to evaluate this procedure.
Developmental, Abdominal and Orthopaedic Defects
The number of these defects does not differ significantly from previous
years.
Defects of the Nervous System
The number of children referred for intelligence assessment was markedly
lower than in the previous year which enabled the waiting list to be
reduced from 235 at the beginning of the year to 29 at the end. The Educational
Psychologist carried out the actual I.Q. Test in some of the children,
while the Medical Officer carried out the medical examination. This avoided,
to some extent, referral of children not needing special schooling for full
scale assessment by doctors and, it is hoped, will continue to be the procedure
in appropriate cases.
Psychological Defects
The number of children reported as suffering from these defects in school
medical returns remained much the same as last year. However, the numbers
referred to the Child Guidance Clinic has again shown an increase of between
six and seven pe ccent but in spite of this increase the waiting list still remains
within reasonable bounds. A fuller account of the Clinic's work is
included in Part II. The Sir Cyril Burt School with day and boarding places for