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Causation.—The number of cases is so small that little can be
said under this head as yet. The term "nervous" as applied
to children covers a variety of indefinitely related conditions,
and it has often been applied to stammerers, in whose case the
underlying cause of the condition is usually an excessive tendency
to nervous discharge. Stammering children are restless. Indeed
it only needs a visit to the class while it is in progress to realise
that their dispositions are the reverse of placid. In ten cases a
hereditary factor was traced and in two others the correction of
unsuspected visual defects led to general improvement. Lefthandedness
was only found in one case, and is, as has been stated
of others, of no significance.
Length of Treatment.— The length of treatment which is
necessary to produce a cure naturally varies much in the different
cases. Intelligent children who co-operate by practicing and carrying
out the necessary exercises at home improve in a short time,
and can be trusted to maintain the improvement by perseverance
when they cease to attend the class. Others, less intelligent and
more apathetic, while they improve considerably while under
treatment, tend to relapse when this is discontinued.

The eight cases still under instruction were greatly improved
in the majority of instances but either because of age, or the nature
of their affliction, it was thought advisable to keep them under
observation for a more prolonged period.
(I) Payments for Treatment.—The following amounts were
received during the year for the treatment of children in the Health
Centres:—