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108
Nose and Throat.
There has been no reduction in the incidence of nose
and throat defects. The causes of this pathological state,
of which 10 per cent, of children are sufferers, are many
and not well defined. Certainly greater attention is now
given to the investigation of diseases of the nose and
throat and the associated sinuses with an apparent increase
in incidence, nevertheless I do not believe that this
incidence is increasing. The report of Mr. Charles C.
lieney, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, appears on page
112.
Ear Disease and Defective Hearing.
There is a reduction in chronic ear disease, mainly due
to the early treatment provided and greater co-operation
of parents in bringing their children to the clinics at the
onset of disease. This results in the sub-acute ear being
treated before the discharge becomes a chronic one. We
have made no use of the audiometer testing of children at
school.
Dental Defects.
I would refer here to the interesting report of Mr.
T. S. Latham, School Dentist, which appears on page 113.
The Dental Services were increased during the year by
the engagement of Mr. Fairman J. Ordish for part-time
service of five additional days a month. Thus we are now
able to deal with all children at the elementary schools
within the year.
Orthopaedic and Postural Defects.
These cases are discovered either at routine medical
inspections or at the special inspections carried out at the
school clinics. The service is extended to include the preschool
child so that we are able to provide treatment at
the onset. This results in gross defects in the school child
being less frequent than when the orthopaedic services were
first commenced.
Table II. shows that 36 cases requiring treatment were
discovered at the routine medical inspections, and
represents a considerable reduction in the previous year s
return. One hopes that with the development of organised
physical training minor defects will become self-corrected.