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107
With the younger children the monotony of exercises is
mitigated to a certain extent by taking them in some form of
game. The older children soon become interested in their
own progress and, with few exceptions, practise regularly and
carefully.
In order to obtain satisfactory results in the treatment of
speech disorders it is essential that school, home and clinic
should work together and in most cases this co-operation is
most generously given.
NOSE AND THROAT DEFECTS.
The number of children suffering from defects of the nose
and throat is shown on Table IV., Group 3 at the end of this
report. 165 children were successfully operated upon for
either diseases of the tonsils or adenoids, under the Council's
scheme.
EAR DISEASES AND DEFECTIVE HEARING.
At the suggestion of the Hoard of Education and in cooperation
with the Medical Research Council, it was agreed to
institute an enquiry into Middle Ear Disease in a selected
group of school children, the work being carried out by Mr.
Maxwell Ellis, F.R.C.S., who holds a Research Scholarship
from University College Hospital, and by Dr. Phyllis Kerridge.
I am indebted to Mr. Maxwell Ellis for the following
memorandum
"Most people who are interested in the subject of
deafness agree that many of the hearing defects of adult
life originate in middle ear disease in childhood, and also
that many cases of ear discharge persist for months or
years in spite of medical attention. This is especially true
in the case of children from the poorer classes. It seems
probable, therefore, that the reason for the present unsatisfactory
position is more the general physical condition
of these children than the medical treatment.