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26
The scheme represents a great improvement upon the previous
methods whereby children were examined by the Medical Officer
only when they were suffering from an ailment of which the parent
or the Nurse had become aware. It has, moreover, another very
great advantage. In the past our Clinics have tended to cater
for children under 2 years of age, whilst children between the ages
of 2 and 5 years have only attended in small numbers. The present
scheme assures that each child in the District should have an
opportunity of being examined twice during the year if it be under
5 years of age.
I trust that as this scheme continues the parents of the District
will realise its importance, and that the response that will be
obtained will be much greater than it has been in the year of its
inception.
Another scheme to which I would draw attention was that
provided by the Council and Education Committee during the
year 1932.
Under this scheme arrangements were made for the
examination and treatment of children under 5 years of age attending
the Council's Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics who were
found to be suffering from disease of the ear.
By this arrangement such children are referred to the School
Medical Clinic where they can receive the expert advice of the
School Aural Specialist and daily treatment by one of the School
Nurses.
Twenty-four cases were referred to the School Ear, Nose and
Throat Clinic during the year, and of these twenty-one attended
and were treated and cured.
Of the three who failed to attend one case was admitted
to Hospital for operation for middle ear disease.
It is the daily treatment of Aural trouble that is the essential
part of its cure, and it is very difficult for the poorer inhabitants
of the District to obtain this treatment except through the School
Clinic.
The scheme has probably resulted in the prevention of chronic
discharge from the ear, and possibly deafness.