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98
view of bodily and mental development, of proper nasal
breathing is gradually becoming more recognised by parents,
and one has much less difficulty than formerly in persuading
them to overcome the natural reluctance to a surgical operation
which the removal of these obstructive post-nasal growths
(Adenoids) entails. Medical inspection has done a great deal
of good in this respect, and it is pleasing to note that 42 of the
children examined had already had Tonsils and Adenoids removed
and were breathing correctly. Many of these had
been "special" cases examined in previous years, and the
treatment had been advised by the school doctor.
It cannot be too strongly insisted upon that, in the
interest of the child mentally and physically, to say nothing
of the increased liability to contract serious attacks of Scarlet
Fever and Diphtheria, it is the undoubted duty of the parent
to obtain the requisite treatment if there is any obstruction
to the entry of air through the normal passage, namely, the
nose.
Diseases of the Skin.
Apart from Ringworm and conditions due to lack of cleanliness,
only 9 cases of skin disease were noted. Most of these
were slight cases of Impetigo, and exclusion for a short time
was necessary.
Ringworm.
Before the days of the adoption of the X-Ray Treatment
this disease was very prevalent in all the elementary schools
throughout the country; now, wherever rigid inspection and
exclusion followed by the X-Ray treatment is adopted, it is
rapidly being pushed into a position of minor significance.
At the beginning of the year 1911, the number of children
absent on account of Ringworm of the head was 28, eight of
these having been excluded for two years. At the end of
the year 1911 there were 19 children absent on this account,
one of whom was excluded during 1909, four during 1910,
and fourteen during the year.