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107
Arrangements have been made between the Education Committee and the
Prince of Wales' General Hospital, Tottenham, for the treatment of ringworm
by X rays at the inclusive fee of 25/- per case treated until cure is effected.
Adenoids and enlarged tonsils are treated at the same hospital at 10s. per
case in the out-patient department. The Education Committee have not yet
decided whether payment shall be made, towards indoor treatment for other ear
troubles, such as operations on the mastoid, etc.
To enable the attendance officers to deal effectively with absentees alleged
to be suffering from any illness treatable at the Clinic, they are provided with
books of forms in duplicate, instructing the parent or guardian to attend with
the child at the Clinic. Visits of other cases to the Clinic are for purposes of
diagnosis and certification only, the parents being recommended to secure
treatment from private practitioners, the poor law or some hospital.
Fees.—In the early stages, no difficulty was experienced in obtaining fees
varying from is. to 2s. 6d. from the parents at the commencement of dental
treatment of their children, but in June, in accordance with instructions, I drew
up a scale of fees to be contributed towards the cost of treatment as follows:—
Minor ailments No charge.
For spectacles Half contract price.
For extraction of teeth 3d. per case (with or without anaesthetic).
For filling of teeth 3d. per case.
However many extractions or fillings are required no extra fee is charged,
and credit is given where parents raise any difficulties about paying at the
time. Where necessitous circumstances are stated to exist, such cases are
reported to me for enquiry.
Parents are invited to contribute something towards the heavy cost of
treatment of throat cases and ringworm. So far as I know, no such contributions
have been received ever since the credit system was established. I have
presented on several occasions to the Education Committee long lists of people
who have not attempted to pay even the small contribution 3d. for the teeth,
or for the spectacles.
Equipment.—My enforced long absence from the district through illness
during February, March and April prevented me taking my due share in the
establishment and equipping of the Clinic, but after my return I endeavoured
to obtain further equipment on economical lines in the interests of the ratepayers.
I therefore attended several sales of Government surplus stores and was able to
obtain at small cost a large number of useful articles. When, however, I found
that the Education Committee did not appreciate my efforts, but preferred to