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98
in the prevention of eye strain. The returning of
children to close work at school whilst the eye muscles are
weakened after illness is to be avoided. For the sake of
maintaining a high average attendance figure this is not
infrequently overlooked with consequent permanent
injury. It is the modern tendency of stress and strain to
desire to press in knowledge in the shortest possible time.
This may save a day or two in school attendance, but leaves
the child to suffer a defect that might have been avoided.
Group III.—Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic (page 122).
This Clinic is held each Wednesday morning, and is
attended by Mr. C. Beney, Ear Nose and Throat
Specialist. All cases with enlarged tonsils and adenoids,
otitis media, etc., are referred to Mr. Beney after
selection by the School Medical Officers, and it is left to
him to decide and direct the treatment for each individual
case. By this means, in the case of enlarged tonsils and
adenoids, operation treatment is controlled; approximately
30 per cent. being referred for operation treatment at the
Clinic, and, in special cases, at Hospital.
Three hundred and twelve children passed through
this Clinic; 131 receiving operative treatment at the
Clinic; 149 received other forms of treatment while 32
cases were referred for private treatment other than
through the Clinic.
I am submitting herewith Mr. Beney's report:—
" Once more I would submit a short report on the work of the
" Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic during the past year.
" Forty clinics have been held. There have been 312 consultations
" for treatments with the Assistant School Medical Officer. One
" hundred and thirty-one cases received operative treatment at the
" Clinic and 149 other forms of treatment.
" Out of the remaining 32 cases, 28 were admitted to my beds at
" St. John's Hospital, Lewisham, and four were treated by their
" general practitioners.
" The Hospital cases included three mastoids; two boys and one
" girl; one case of growth on the palate; one case of sinus disease
" and the rest were operated on for tonsils and adenoids namely 23
" cases where some special circumstance or complication made it
" advisable to have them under hospital supervision.
" No cases of any serious complications arising after operation have
" been brought to my notice, and there have been no cases of post
" operative haemorrhage.