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88
DEFECTS IN VISION.
The percentage of defects for 1913, is 1.7 more than in
the previous year. In the case of these defects the question
of the provision of glasses beooines somewhat acute and one
is often met with the remark that it is difficult enough to
provide food for the children let alone glasses. One is at
a loss what to do in some cases, and in the event of glasses
not being forthcoming there is only the Children's Act to be
put in force. It would, in my opinion, be a real help if some
sort of fund could be organised locally whereby parents could
be supplied with glasses and pay for them by instalments.
EARS AND HEARING.
Some improvement is shown under this head, and the
defects noticed do not call for very much comment. Considering
the number of children examined, I think the Committee
may take it that the hearing of Hendon children i«
quite up to the average.
SPEECH.
Only 1.4 per cent, defects as regards speech were found,
although cases of imperfect speech due to carelessness, etc.,
were not uncommon. Amongst the children examined at the
Offices there were several who spoke in a very careless
manner, and it was sometimes difficult to understand their
answers. The chief faults seemed to be that they did not
speak out well enough nor did they syllable their words
properly.
MENTAL.
There is not much change under this head. The results
for the last three years have not varied to any great extent.
In several of the schools the backward or dull children are