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97
are carefully kept and subsequent examinations of these
children's teeth will be made at certain periods throughout
their attendance at the Council's schools.
It is felt that the examination of all the children's teeth
at the period when attention is most valuable, will be the
means of preventing many of the disabilities and much illhealth
occasioned in after years by defective teeth. It will
gradually educate the Parents and the children in the importance
of the subject, and, there can be no doubt, will
amply repay the cost incurred. A full report will be issued
after the Clinic has been at work a year.
I might add that in all the schools every effort is made to
induce the children to use their tooth brushes effectively and
regularly.
Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids.
Of the 794 children examined 47 ( =about 6 per cent.) had
Tonsils considerably enlarged, many of these being associated
with Adenoids. Ninety-seven had some slight enlargement,
but not of sufficient degree to necessitate treatment unless
associated with other conditions.
Thirty-nine of the children had obvious symptoms of
Adenoids and 18 had symptoms highly suggestive of their
presence. That is 57 ( = about 8 per cent.) had some condition
affecting proper nasal breathing. Of 42 cases recommended
for treatment, 26 had obtained this at the end of the year, and
the parents of most of the others have promised to attend
to the matter in the Spring. In the cases where
mouth-breathing or other symptoms suggested the
presence of Adenoids instructions are given to Teachers
to pay special attention to the child in the breathing
exercises, and the parents are also advised of the
necessity of obtaining a thorough examination of the back of
the child's nose. I attach great importance to the breathing
exercises which are in vogue ait all the schools, and much good
is done by this means. The importance, from the point of