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99
Tonsils and Adenoids Clinic.
This is now, in 1931, held weekly; in 1930 it was held
fortnightly. An Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist attends
for consultations and operations. The details of the scheme
have been submitted in previous Reports. Five cases are
operated on at the School Clinic on each Wednesday morning
at 8 a.m. These cases are retained at the Clinic for
twenty-four hours, and then returned home by a suitable
conveyance. The school nurse visits the case at home for
the next seven days.
Cases are selected as follows: 12 per cent. of all
children examined at school are found to have diseased
Tonsils and Adenoids, 24 per cent. of entrants, 9 per cent.
intermediates and 5 per cent. leavers. All cases are referred
to the School Clinic where they are kept under observation
pending their reference to the Specialist (Mr. C.
Beney), who himself decides as to operation or further
observation. The cases for operation are selected in parties
of five, and prepared at the Clinic on the day prior to
operation.
Twenty-eight per cent. of children who attend the
Medical Clinic suffering from disease of the nose and
throat, are likewise dealt with, but it is to be remembered
that not all are suffering from enlarged tonsils and adenoids;
many of them are acute tonsillitis, not infrequently
the precursor of chronic rheumatism.
One hundred and fifty-eight cases in 1930 were referred
to the Clinic for operative treatment, 120 of these
had the operation carried out at the Clinic, while the remaining
38 were operated on privately by their own doctor
or at hospitals. One hundred and forty-two other cases
were treated otherwise than by operation. Six hundred
and three operations have been performed through the
School Medical Service during the period 1925-1930; 126
have been referred to hospitals and private practitioners,
and 710 received other forms of treatment. It will thus
be seen that only 50 per cent. of enlarged tonsils and
adenoids are treated by operation.