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"As regards other treatments given during the year, dressings
of silver nitrate, and root dressings of septic anterior teeth, were
inserted in 705 teeth, 151 children had their teeth scaled, and
gum treatments were given to 13 children. All the treatment
given during the year, including those children referred for administration
of gas, meant 9,800 attendances of children."
(/) Orthopaedic Treatment.—Prior to 1925 the only provision
made by the Haling Education Committee for physically defective
children was massage and remedial treatment at the King Edward
Memorial Hospital, Ealing. It was noted that "in many instances
the treatment was far too late in being sought, and that repeated
visits at the hospital for supervision and treatment were made in
a haphazard and irregular fashion. Moreover attendance at school
was irregular and the education of the child materially suffered."
In 1926 as a result of negotiations between the Ealing Education
Committee and the Governors of the National Orthopaedic
Hospital, Great Portland Street, a scheme was inaugurated as
follows:
(1) A Surgeon from the Orthopaedic Hospital to visit the
Clinic once a month to examine the children, and advise
as regards further operative and remedial treatment.
(2) Children requiring operation to go to the Orthopaedic
Hospital, Stanmore, where the necessary operation would
be carried out and where the child's education would
continue under special teachers.
(3) Massage to be given at the Health Centre in cases where
this was necessary by a masseuse provided by the National
Orthopaedic Hospital.
(4) Children not in need of hospital treatment, or after
receiving treatment, to be kept under supervision in order
to see that they regularly attend the Hospital or Health
Centre.
In the annual reports of the School Medical Officer the good
results which were accruing from the scheme were noted; the
children benefitted physically and educationally, while the parents
were saved expense through having the treatment provided locally
and through having facilities for early treatment before serious
incapacity occurred.