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Heredity appeared to play some part, as there was a history of
goitre in one or more near relatives in 12 out of the 19 cases, and
the mother was or had been affected in seven instances.
Treatment.—On account of the low incidence of thyroid
enlargement among school children in Baling, treatment, both
prophylactic and curative, cannot be considered either a large or a
difficult problem. Collective treatment is not called for as it may
be in other areas. Prophylaxis consists in the main of instructing
parents in the value of a good mixed diet, and, in view of the
theory that intestinal toxaemia may be the cause, the avoidance
of constipation, and in the administration of oidine in an easily
administered form to members of families in which there is an
apparent heredity tendency to the condition. Curative treatment
is a matter for the general medical practitioner to whom all cases
of visible thyroid enlargement are necessarily referred
MISCELLANEOUS.
Each morning of the school week at 10 o'clock children may
be referred for medical examination at the School Clinic. These
are children suspected by the teachers of having verminous heads
or bodies, of being affected with ringworm, scabies, or impetigo,
or referred for examination on account of some defect or suspected
defect, such as defective eyesight, disease of the eye, throat, nose
or ear. Such children may also be submitted by the School Nurses
or School Enquiry Officers.
When children are excluded they are re-examined regularly
at the School Clinic until certified as able to return to School.
In addition, children may be specially examined at the instigation
of the School Attendance Committee, teachers are medically
examined on appointment and scholarship children are examined
before they are approved.