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(b) Tonsils and Adenoids.—During 1934 at routine and special medical inspections, 689 cases
of enlarged tonsils and adenoids were discovered, as compared with 1,361 found in 1933, 1,394 in
1932, 1,668 in 1931, 2,021 in 1930, 1,773 in 1929.
(c) Skin Disease.—During 1934, at routine and special medical inspections, 1,264 cases of skin
disease were detected, as compared with 1,727 in 1933, 1,607 in 1932, 1,807 in 1931, 1,888 in 1930,
1,809 in 1929.
(d) Enlarged Cervical Glands (non-tuberculous).—During 1934, at routine and special medical
inspections 162 cases of this defect were noted as compared with 275 in 1933, 285 in 1932, 302 in 1931,
505 in 1930, 380 in 1929.
Infectious Diseases.—The action taken to detect and prevent the spread of infectious
diseases was as set forth in my Annual Report for 1925. Appendix N.
Following Up.—All defects found requiring treatment at medical and dental inspections
are notified to the parents, and it is the duty of the Health Nurses to follow up these cases in their
homes as may be necessary, in order to ascertain if the treatment has been obtained. If nothing
has been done the Health Nurse again explains the necessity for treatment to the parent, and advises
as to the best method of obtaining such treatment.
Medical Treatment.—During the year 1934 school children were followed up by the Health
Department on account of 16,653 medical defects and 7,321 dental defects. Of those defects found
to require treatment, medical or dental treatment was obtained for 14,605 and domestic treatment
was obtained for 3,707. 83.6 per cent. of the medical defects were treated, 61.0 per cent. receiving
medical treatment and 22.6 per cent. domestic treatment, 60 per cent. of the dental defects followed
up were treated. No record is available of defects requiring treatment which were not followed up.
92 per cent. of the total medical defects treated and 99 per cent. of the total dental defects treated
were dealt with by the Education Committee. The remainder, or 8 per cent, of the medical defects
and 1 per cent. of the dental defects treated were dealt with by private practitioners, voluntary
hospitals, or other charitable institutions, or Public Assistance. In connection with the defects
treated, the children concerned made 90,174 attendances at the Health Centres in 1934, as compared
with 101,160 in 1933.
Crippling Defects and Orthopaedics.—An Orthopaedic Clinic staffed by an Orthopaedic
Surgeon and a specially qualified nurse is held at the Stonebridge Health Centre. The report of the
Orthopaedic surgeon appears as Appendix F.
The first Annual Report on the work in connection with Abnormal Children appears later in
this report.
SECONDARY AND TRADE SCHOOLS.
During the year the arrangement by which the medical staff of the Willesden Council carry
out the inspection of pupils attending Secondary and Trade Schools in Willesden on behalf of the
Middlesex County Council has continued.
1,011 examinations of secondary school pupils have been carried out during the year 1934.
433 defects were found amongst the scholars examined. Parents and Head Teachers are
notified of defects and are advised as to the action to be taken.
The Middlesex County Council are making arrangements to put in operation in 1935 the scheme
of treatment for defective vision and dental defects referred to in the 1930 annual report.
PARENTS PAYMENTS.
The recovery of the cost of certain forms of treatment from parents of children attending
Public Elementary Schools is made according to the Council's Economic Circumstances Scale, which
is based on the net income per head per week of the family.
For cases of enlarged tonsils, adenoids, and deflected septum, the payment for operation and
the first 3 days in hospital is either the full cost of 24s. part cost, or if below the minimum of the
Economic Scale, nil. The charge per day after the first 3 days is 4s. 6d. full cost, and pro rata of part
cost.
Spectacles are provided either at the full cost of 4s., at half-price, or free if below the Economic
Scale.
In cases of certain nutrient drugs, prescribed by the Health Centre Medical Officers, these are
supplied free, if below the Economic Scale, otherwise cost price is charged.
Vouchers issued by certain Hospital Associations and Sickness Funds are accepted in lieu of
payment for the provision of spectacles and for operation in cases of enlarged tonsils, adenoids and
deflected septum.