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of medical inspection, partly in the equipment of charitable institutions
such as Ophthalmic hospitals, and in large measure in the
voluntary services of the medical staff of these institutions, it is
not only uneconomical, but unfair, that all this effort should be
wasted because of the inability of the parent to procure the glasses
which are the end and object of the effort. The correspondence
submitted herewith shows that the existing charitable organisations
fail to meet effectively the difficulty here described.
In a Memorandum (Circular 596) issued on 17th August, 1908,
by the Board of Education, the Board say:—
"Provision of Spectacles, etc.— In cases where medical
"inspection shows that the provision of spectacles is necessary
"for the treatment of defective eyesight, the Board will be
"prepared to consider proposals from a Local Education
"Authority to provide suitable and inexpensive spectacles free
"of charge. They will, however, only sanction such an
"arrangement' if they are satisfied that every endeavour will
"first be made to obtain the provision of the spectacles by the
"child's parents or by any voluntary associations which exist
"for the purpose. The Board will, of course, require that due
"precautions should be taken to secure accurate examination
"and appropriate prescription by qualified medical men of
"suitable experience."
Section 1 of the Local Education Authorities (Medical Treat'
ment) Act, 1909, provides :—
"Where any Local Education Authority provides for the
"medical treatment of children attending any public elementary
"school under Section 13 of the Education (Administrative
"Provisions) Act, 1907, there shall be charged to the parent
"of every child in respect of any treatment provided for that
"child such an amount not exceeding the cost of treatment as
"may be determined by the Local Education Authority, and