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their children to the Child Welfare Centre when they reach the
age of eighteen months to two years. If these children develop
squint they often do not come under supervision until they commence
school life. By this time the chances of curing the squint is
greatly impaired. These children at a later date are frequently
referred to an Ophthalmic Hospital to have the eyes straightened
by an operation. Even then the sight in the squinting eye is, as
a rule, greatly reduced. It is unfortunate that parents do not
generally realise the importance of obtaining early treatment for
this condition.
(g) Ear Disease and Hearing.— Of 58 cases which received
treatment, 48 were treated at the School Clinic. These were mostly
cases of otorrhoea.
Head-teachers are instructed to place children with defective
hearing in the front row of their classes. Serious defects of hearing
are fortunately not frequent and there is no need to arrange a
special class for children so affected.
(h) Dental Defects.— Table IV, Group IV, shows that 4,312
children, or a total of 67.5 per cent, of those on the school register,
were dentally inspected during the year. Of these, 2,869 were
found to require treatment and 1,786 were actually treated at the
School Clinic, 468 receiving further treatment during the year.
The extractions numbered 371 permanent and 2,147 temporary
teeth. For the purpose of these extractions gas was administered
on 51 occasions.
Fillings were applied to 1,676 permanent teeth and 16 temporary
teeth.
Twenty-three cases of dental deformity were referred to the
Royal Dental Hospital for special treatment. These were chiefly
cases of serious irregularity or of defective bite which are capable
of great improvement if treated early by special extractions or
regulative apparatus. The Education Committee by contributing
to the funds of the Hospital are able to secure tickets entitling the
children to this special orthodontic treatment.