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spectacles prescribed for them at the Clinic, and all of these except
four had obtained the spectacles by the end of the year. A further
eleven children were fitted with spectacles privately or at hospital.
(d) Ear Disease and Defective Hearing.
The work of the Ear Clinic at White Hart Lane has been carried
out during the year by Dr. Clarke who has followed generally the
same methods of treatment which met with such success in the hands
of his predecessor, Dr. Friel. Zinc ionisation was used with good
effect in practically all the cases of chronic discharging ears treated.
Diastolisation was used in a large number of children with nasal
affections, many of them complicating ear conditions, while in
several cases of infected nasal sinuses the Praetz method of displacement
was successfully employed.
The tables following page 32, which have been prepared by
Dr. Clarke, give a very detailed record of all the children treated
by him during the year with full information as to complications,
treatment and results of treatment. The total number of school
children attending the Ear Clinic during 1938 was 161.
(e) Dental Defects.
The work done by the School Dental Surgeon is shown in
detail in Table V. The scheme of dental inspection covers practically
the whole elementary school population, but it is not possible
with one dental officer and one dental surgery to inspect every
child every year and provide the necessary treatment for all who
accept the offer of treatment. Under these circumstances the
policy followed is to concentrate, as far as possible, on conservative
treatment and to discourage the casual cases which wish to attend
only when in pain or discomfort. The ratio of fillings to
extractions in permanent teeth remains high, 2,794 fillings to 707
extractions. In temporary teeth very few fillings have been done,
and many extractions.
(f) Defects of Speech.
The Speech Defect Clinic has been held twice weekly throughout
the year. There are two classes, one for children of twelve
years and over, and the other for children under twelve. Each
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