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If a child failed a second test, it was referred to the Minor
Ailment Clinic and there treated by the School doctor.
These children were then re-tested for a third time after
treatment and the number of failures then amounted to only
3.3%. The children who failed, received a more comprehensive test,
using the "pure tone" audiometer and were then referred for
examination by an ear, nose and throat specialist.
These tests often reveal "one ear" deafness and by proper
siting in class with relation to the teacher, a child may be helped
greatly in its studies.
Parents and staff have all co-operated enthusiastically and
the work is continuing.
Number of schools visited during the year 30
Number of children examined 8,398
Number of children with hearing loss 272
(i.e., 3.23%)
Number of "pure tone" tests 52
Number of children seen by the Ear, Nose and Throat
Specialist (Mr. Miller) to December 31st, 1950 4
Defects found include catarrhal deafness (70%), perforated
ear drums (10%) and chronic mastoid disease (20%).
FOOT HEALTH IN EALING
The Contributory Shoe Scheme.
During the past few years school medical officers have been
concerned about the number of children leaving school who show
the beginnings of trouble with their feet. A survey taken on
Ealing school children showed that many of these foot troubles
were due to badly fitting shoes and this agreed with investigations
in other places.
The Area Health Committee for No. 7 Area of the Middlesex
County Council, on my advice, decided to organise a scheme whereby
children should have their feet examined regularly by the school
doctor to detect early trouble and should be fitted with good quality
shoes by experienced shoe-fitters. Based on this principle, the
Ealing Contributory Shoe Scheme was started in September, 1949.
The manufacturers of "Start-rite" shoes were approached and
offered to co-operate. For the first year the scheme was
limited to children in the area of Mattock Lane Health
Clinic and children attending Grange School. The scheme offered
three pairs of "Start-rite" shoes, a service of expert fitting and
repairs, and medical supervision of the children's feet. The cost
was covered by payment of a sum varying with the child's age on
entering the scheme.