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of nutrition. In some cases this may have been the
direct result of disease, but in many the cause has to be
considered in reference to feeding and home circumstances.
Some of these children were actually underfed, some
improperly fed, some perhaps were overworked out of
school and were in want of sleep, while others again were
living under insanitary and unwholesome conditions. All
these causes contributed to the making up of the 9.54 per
cent, of children noted above as suffering from malnutrition
in greater or less degree.
Diseases of the Nose, Throat, and Ear.—In 2,048
cases, or 27.83 per cent. of the 7,358 children examined,
diseased conditions of the nose and throat were noted, and
in 244 cases, or 3.3 per cent. of the children examined,
diseases of the ear were found.
Defective conditions of the throat, nose, and ear are
especially important in relation to school-life, as they interfere
with education both by way of absence from school
and by producing mental dullness in the child. The majority
of these conditions are easily remediable, and a report on
the subject of their treatment is at present under consideration
by the Education Committee. This report, included
with a report on the Treatment of Ringworm, appears as
Appendix E herewith, and it should be observed that the
adoption of the remedial measures suggested would be
amply repaid to the Committee by the improved health and
attendance of children who at present suffer from these
complaints.
External Eye Diseases, Squint, Vision.—210 cases of
external eye disease were noted. 761 children with vision
= 6/12 or less in one or other or both eyes, and 635 children
with a defect of 6/9 in both eyes, were examined in the
course of medical inspection. In addition 85 cases of squint
were recorded.