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89
taught in a separate class with, I am told, very good results.
As regaxds such children a simple curriculum seems the only
reasonable way out of the difficulty. No doubt the passing
of the Mental Deficiency Act will have an important bearing
on the education of some of these children in future.
HEART.
From comparison of the defects found during the last
four years two per cent, may almost be considered the normal
percentage. Only a very few oases were so bad as to call
for special treatment, and these cases were duly notified to
the Head Teachers.
LUNGS.
It is gratifying to note that out of the 2,791 children
examined at the schools only six were found to have lung
trouble, and advice was given to both parents and teachers
with reference to the children.
RINGWORM.
Under this heading we are dealing with one of
the most troublesome of communicable diseases whioh
attacks our elementary schools, and one which causes
more interference with school work than any other
on the list which already is full to overflowing. It is only fair
to the parents that their children should be protected as far
as possible from infection. For many years little heed was
seriously taken of this troublesome disease, but it is only by
adopting a system of complete supervision as far as possible
that the spread of this complaint can be controlled. For this
purpose I have continued my personal inspection of all such
cases, and this inspection has been carried out weekly until the
cases have been pronounced free and fit to attend school. I