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59
reduced to an insignificant one, then we can be sure that the School
Dental Service has gone a long way to achieving positive dental
health for the children. This latter situation is one that all school
dental officers look forward to seeing in future years.
EAR, NOSE AND THROAT SERVICE
Mr. Arthur Miller, Consulting Otologist reports:-
The children referred to see me for hearing defects as ascertained
by the gramophone and P.T.T. tests were either suffering
from chronic catarrh of the middle ear and eustachian tube or
have, or have had otorrhoea in the past leaving a scarred tympanic
membrane or a dry perforation behind.
Head Teachers were informed where it was found advisable
that the child should either sit in the front row or should abstain
from swimming or both. Head teachers were particularly requested
to see that these recommendations follow the children throughout
the whole of their school life.
In the catarrhal conditions the cause was often found in enlarged
adenoids, hypertrophic rhinitis or sinusitis. Children were referred
for removal of either tonsils and adenoids or adenoids alone, the
general tendency being to spare the tonsils and remove the adenoids
where at all possible. The treatment administered was diastolisation
and politzeration and eustachian catherisation as well as
breathing exercises. In cases where sinusitis was confirmed by
X-ray examination Proetz' displacement treatment was practised.
With the aid of P.T.T. it was possible to ascertain the results
of the treatment which were found to be most gratifying.
A number of children were referred for nose and throat
conditions without impairment of hearing. In these cases if
conservative treatment failed, some were referred for operative
treatment.
1952 1953
Number of new cases 181 355
Number of re-inspections 464 353
Total attendances 645 708
Number of operations 245 188
Treatment advised 308 271
Operations advised 134 236
AUDIOMETRY SURVEY
Audiometer testing by gramophone and pure tone apparatus
is now a routine part of the school medical service.
Audiometer testing makes possible the early ascertainment
and if necessary treatment of hearing loss.