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(h) Orthopaedics and Postural Defects.
Nine children were found to be suffering from crippling defects.
All of these except two have received orthopaedic treatment at
hospital during the year; of these two, one is incapable of further
improvement, and the other a child whose parents persistently
refuse to subject the child to operative treatment.
(i) Heart Disease and Rheumatism.
Evidence of some abnormality of the heart was found present
in fifty-seven children. In the majority of cases there was no
evidence of organic disease and the condition was thought to be
functional. Among the twenty-four cases of organic disease, there
were several congenital cases, but in most the heart condition was
the result of rheumatism. Rheumatism, with or without affection
of the heart, was seen in thirty children during the year, ten boys
and twenty girls. In most cases the rheumatic pains were very
slight and only occasional, but in six cases definite attacks of acute
rheumatism occurred during (he year for which hospital treatment
had to be obtained. All these cases of rheumatism and heart disease
are kept under regular supervision at the School Clinic.
(j) Tuberculosis.
Eight children were found to show signs suggestive of pulmonary
tuberculosis. These were referred to the County Tuberculosis
Officer for detailed examination, and in no case was the diagnosis
of tuberculosis confirmed. Three children were found to suffer
from glandular tuberculosis. In one of these cases sanatorium
treatment was obtained, while in the other two the disease was
quiescent.
6.—FOLLOWING UP.
All defects discovered at medical inspection are brought to the
notice of the parents or guardians, with a request that the necessary
treatment be obtained without delay. Later the homes are visited
by the Visitation Officer, to see whether treatment is being obtained
and if not to impress on the parent the importance of obtaining it.
As a rule parents are willing and anxious to obtain whatever treatment
is found to be necessary, but from time to time considerable
pressure has to be brought to bear on individual parents before
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