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107
Deafness.
40 children (=2.62%) were found to be suffering from
deafness, which includes 24 of those suffering from discharge
from the ears. Of these 40 cases, 29 (=72.5%) were found
in the Senior Department, and 11 (=27.5%) were found in
the Infants' Department. The majority of these, however,
were only defective in one ear. No child was so deaf as to
render education in the ordinary class impossible. The
existence of Adenoids, either present or in the past, was an
important causative factor in many of the cases noticed.
Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids.
Of the 976 children examined in the Senior Departments
28, 16 boys and 12 girls (=about 3 per cent.) had tonsils considerably
enlarged, many of these being associated with
Adenoids, and of the 549 children examined in the Infants'
Departments 33, 15 boys and 18 girls (=3.4%) were found
suffering from similar defects. 41 boys and 34 girls of the
Senior Departments, and 31 boys and 30 girls of the Infants'
Departments, had some slight enlargement, but not to a
sufficient degree to necessitate treatment unless associated
with other conditions.
30 children, 13 boys and 17 girls, in the upper departments,
and 24, 5 boys and 19 girls, in the lower departments,
had obvious symptoms of Adenoids, and 90 children
had been operated upon for enlargement of tonsils and
adenoids previous to inspection. 68 children were found to
be distinct mouth-breathers, that is, 4.46% of the children
had some pathological condition affecting proper nasal breathing.
Of 86 cases recommended for treatment, 64 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 symtoms
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