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(c) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.
Impetigo has caused a great deal of trouble in some schools. It is now
the rule that any child suffering from active impetigo is to be excluded from
school during the period whilst the child is so affected. Attention to this
complaint, as in other medical matters, has borne good fruit, but the numbers
who attend our clinics are so large that it may be necessary to adopt some
other procedure in treating the children. A very significant fact is the drop
in attendances during the school holidays. It would give the casual
observer the idea that a good deal of the attendances at the clincs could be
avoided.
(d) Visual Defects and External Eye Disease.
Dr. Smith-Clark (Ophthalmic Surgeon to the Committee) has kindly
supplied me with the following report:—
"The Ophthalmic Clinic has continued progress which has characterised
it during the past ten years. The parents appear to be taking an everincreasing
interest in their children being treated by it, and are attending in
increasing numbers. They are now beginning to recognise that headaches
and "nervy" children are amenable to treatment of the eyes. There is an
increase in the number of accident cases, as the parents seem to be inclined
more and more to bring their children to the Clinic instead of taking them to
the Hospital. From the point of view of ophthalmic treatment the Convalescent
Homes are of great importance.
"Otherwise, I have very little material to add to my report of last
year."
(e) Nose and Throat Defects.
The Aural Clinic, with Mr. Ibbotson in attendance, was started in
December, and it was found necessary at the outset to have a waiting-list.
The parents appreciate the work done, and are very apt to partake of the
services offered. It is to be hoped that these services will reduce the number
of otorrhœa and slight defects of hearing, so prevalent amongst our school
population.
The Speech Clinic has been re-organised, and was re-opened on
September 6th, 1937. Classes are being held twice weekly, and up to the
beginning of the Christmas holidays 30 sessions were held, with a total
572 attendances.
One hundred and thirty-three cases were recommended for treatment
by the various head teachers; of these the Speech Therapist has seen 103
children and, with only two exceptions, either or both parents. A full history
has been taken, a report obtained from the school and a diagnosis made.
Where necessary recommendations have been made for medical or psychological
treatment to be carried out before the child attends for regular speech
therapy. It is hoped to see the remaining cases before Easter.
Thirty cases were accepted for immediate treatment, and were grouped
as follows: Senior stammerers (boys, average age, 12), 8; junior stammerers
(severe type), 7; junior stammerers (less severe type), 6; retarded speech, 3;
defective breathing and palatal weakness, 2; special cases for individual
treatment, 4. Owing to pressure of time due to the inevitable number of
new cases it has not been possible to give the children as much individual
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