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44
The total of children found at routine medical inspection to
be requiring treatment rose slightly from 537 in 1950 to 630 in 1951.
The appended table shows a moderate rise in the number of
defects found at routine and special examinations to approximately
the level of 1949—after the very low figures of 1950.
There has been a large apparent rise in the figure of chest
diseases—but this is only because a "breathing exercise" clinic
in the area has produced such good results that a large number of
children known to be suffering from asthmatic conditions have been
encouraged to attend.
The number of attendances at minor ailment clinics rose
very substantially from 3,299 in 1950 to 5,515 in 1951. A large
number of children receive treatment from General Practitioners
and Hospital out-patient departments, but some of the minor
infectious conditions of childhood such as warts and impetigo
can be treated successfully and economically—helping to save the
time of the child, doctor and hospital.
In many cases where some defect is found at a routine
examination, the child is referred to the minor ailment clinic
for a fuller examination.