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The use of the pure tone audiometer was continued
throughout the year. Unfortunately in November the Audiometrician
left for another appointment and no testing was
done for the second half of the Autumn term. This resulted
in a drop in the number of children tested
The age groups tested as a routine in schools are
6-7 years, 9-10 years, and 13-14 years.
The decline in the total numbers tested was due mainly
to the change over from gramophone audiometer to the pure
tone audiometer in 1957. It is not possible to carry out
as many tests with the latter as with the former, but
against this one has the advantage of more accurate test
ing.
FOOT HEALTH,
During 1958 the Foot Health nurse saw 11.177 children
in school, a record so far for any one year.
At these foot inspections, the condition of each
child's feet and shoes is recorded on individual foot
cards. It is usual for the nurse to see each child every
2½ years early foot troubles are readily detected by her
and children with these are then asked to attend the foot
clinics held by the Medical Officer in charge, at which
advice can be given to the parents. The work of these
foot clinics is varied. Children with foot pain are usually
referred to the Orthopaedic Surgeon, Children with valgus
ankles (so called "flat feet") are given wedges to be
placed in the heels of their shoes, and simple but effective
exercises to do at home, in order to strengthen the
weak muscles and ligaments. Girls showing early Hallux
Valgus (outward bending of the big toe) are advised on
the importance of shoe design and fitting. It is now
common to find girls from the age of 10 years upwards,
wearing the "casual" or "slip on" type of shoe. These
shoes are poorly designed and their shape bears no relation
to that of a normal child's foot. These casual shoes can
undoubtedly cause a great deal of harm to growing feet.