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Centre for further examination, observation as to progress,
or modification of treatment as may be indicated.
One regular session a week is held at the Central
Clinic attended by the visiting surgeon and, on an
average, one supplementary session a month is added to
cope with the numbers referred for examination. Treatments
prescribed after examination, except those retained
for special treatment at the Central Clinic, are carried
out at the various 'treatment centres' during two sessions
per week.
In the first year (1945), 591 new cases were seen
and in the second year (1946), 733. Of the 591 new
cases in 1945, 64 were suffering from affections of the
ear, and of the 733 new cases in 1946, there were only
58 cases of ear affections. These figures shew an appreciable
reduction in 1946 in the relative proportion of ear
conditions to the totals.
Particular attention is paid to the treatment of acute
ear discharge (otorrhcea). It is vitally important to
prevent these acute cases from becoming chronic when
successful treatment is much more difficult and the hearing
is usually seriously affected.
In the case of acute ear discharge, it is insisted
wherever possible, that the child attend the clinic for
special treatment. It has been found that 10% Albucid
or Penicillin combined with 'suction' is the most rapid
and efficient form of treatment. The old practice of
giving the parent 'ear drops' to instill in the child's ear
daily, is rarely successful. I wish here to emphasise the
importance of 'suction.' Its principle is to keep the
opening in the ear drum patent, thus allowing the middle
ear to discharge freely and to relieve stasis. When the
external and middle ear are emptied by suction, a vacuum
is produced which brings forward any pus that is
posterior to the middle ear. In this way the pus has
little chance of becoming stagnant in the ear and its
various tracts. It is also valuable in efficiently filling
the middle ear with the antiseptic medium used.