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12
The percentage of children discovered with visual defects remains fairly
constant. There are slight variations over the years but about 30% of total
defects found at routine school medical examinations are of vision. Most
parents take their children along for further investigation and treatment when
a visual defect is suspected at a screening examination, but a few ignore
appointments offered at Eye Clinics or do not attend opticians after receiving
a form entitling them to an examination. A lot of unnecessary work is caused
to the administrative staff of the Department in sending out reminders and in
some cases, unfortunately, it is necessary for a Nurse to be diverted from
other work to chase up the recalcitrant. In the meantime, of course, the child
may be having difficulty in seeing what is written on the blackboard.
Defects of Ear, Nose and Throat
Otitis Media (disease of the middle ear), deafness and other defects of
the ears were found in approximately the same percentage of children as in
previous years.
Defects of Heart and Circulation
There have been no significant changes in the year under review.
Defects of the Lungs
Almost exactly the same number of lung defects (149) were discovered
to need treatment as last year (150). The great majority of these cases consist
of mild bronchitis.
The Tuberculosis figures remain remarkably constant.
Pulmonary - 3
Non-Pulmonary - 2
The incidence rate among the school population works out at 5.0 per
100,000. There was one case less of pulmonary tuberculosis than in 1971 and
one more case of non-pulmonary tuberculosis.
Developmental, Abdominal and Orthopaedic Defects
There is no marked change in numbers in this group from previous years.
Defects of the Nervous System
The number of children found to have epilepsy was up slightly as compared
to 1971, but the total numbers are so small (23) that the variation is
not significant. As mentioned later in the report, none of these children was
found to be in need of special education and all are still attending ordinary
schools. Two hundred and fifteen children were referred for intelligence
assessment in 1972 and there was no waiting list at the end ofthe year.