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89
will thus be seen tliat operative procedure is controlled
and not undertaken without due and careful consideration.
The Specialist, Mr. Charles Benev, reports as follows:
"Once more I have been asked to write a report of
"the work of the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic during the
"past year. I am glad to say that the work has
"continued without any serious complications arising.
"Forty clinics were held. There were 201 consulta"tions
with the Medical Officer of Health. One hundred
"and twenty-nine operations for tonsils and adenoids
"were performed, and 45 cases were referred to their
"general practitioners for operation, or taken into my
"beds at St. John's Hospital, Lewisham; of these latter
"there were five cases of mastoid disease, six cases of
"sinus trouble and the remainder dissection of tonsils
"where some complication was present. Fifty-six cases
"received other forms of treatment.
"Once more I have to thank the permanent and lay
"staff for their loyal co-operation."
Chari-es Beney, m.a., m.b., b.ch., m.r.c.s.
In recent years the surgical removal of tonsils has
been widely discussed both by the profession and by the
lay press. The result of this publicity has been an
increased reluctance on the part of parents to give consent
to operative procedure, thus adding to the difficulties in
the prevention of further ill-health of the child. It is
right that public opinion should exercise a controlling
influence over any over-enthusiastic surgeon or school
medical officer, but it is rather a pity that difficulties
should be encouraged where we have in Bromley for years
past been strictly conservative in our treatment, and in
selecting cases for operation.
Eye Clinic.
4.4 per cent, of children examined at school had
defective vision to a degree equal or greater than 6/9 in
each eye. Of the children attending the Medical Clinic
4.5 per cent, had a like defect. All such children, and
also those children with subjective symptoms are referred