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72
(45.9 per cent.) possessed teeth in a similar condition. These
numbers represent teeth in all stages of decay, from a single
tooth unsound to none which were sound.
EYES.
One of the most important matters in connection with
the routine medical examination of school children is the
testing of eyesight. Tt is a difficult matter to test correctly
the sight of children under the age of 6 years (that is at a
time when, as a rule, they are unable to read) by the method
usually adopted: the circular issued by the Board of Education
has suggested that the testing of sight of children under
6 years of age need only be carried out in a general way.
In some instances, children have been found to have grave
defects of vision, and in several cases this has already been
pointed out to, and known by, the parents, yet no steps whatever
had been taken to remedy the matter.
Of the 380 boys examined, 24 (6.3 per cent.) were found
to have defective vision, and of the 403 girls, 38 (9.4 per
cent.). In many instances children were already wearing
glasses, and these are not included. Up to December 31st,
1908, further advice had been obtained in 18 instances.
Four boys and seven girls were found to be suffering
from external diseases of the eye. These chiefly consisted of
Conjunctivitis, Blepharitis and Corneal Scars.
THROAT.
Thirty-four children were found to be suffering from enlarged
tonsils or adenoids, or both, viz.: 18 boys and 16 girls.
In many of these cases deafness was detected in consequence,
adenoid growths being a common cause of deafness in children.
In each case the parents have been advised to consult their
medical attendant. A recommendation for operation is
seldom made, the advisability of an operation in many such
cases being a matter over which there is much adversity of