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50
Eye Clinic. Statistics for the year 1944:—
Number of sessions during 1944 68
Number of children dealt with for errors of refractions 461
Number of other defects or diseases of the eye treated 87
Number of spectacles prescribed and obtained 169
Total attendances of children for treatment 47
Mr. Rushton's Comments.
During 1944 I have continued to hold the Eye Clinic, acting
in place of my colleague, Major Eric Lyle.
Most of the children dealt with have errors of refraction,
whose annual incidence is fairly constant. These defects are
mostly congenital and are alleviated by spectacles. Preventive
measures are, however applicable in myopia; it can be minimised
by attention to conditions under which close work is
done lighting, posture, quality of printing and me spent
reading are factors which are controlled satisfactorily under
school conditions, but the regulation of a myopic child's private
reading is notoriously difficult. Continual attempt- have been
made to enlist the co-operation of parents with varying success.
The treatment of squint is more effective. Many cases are
corrected by glasses, with or without orthoptic exercises. The
latter are ably carried out by our orthoptist, Miss Binstead.
Those cases requiring operation are normally admitted under
my care at the Bromley and District Hospital, but as these
operations are seldom urgent, they have been postponed during
the past year owing to war conditions.
The incidence of diseases of the eyes has been lower than
usual this year, and this is very satisfactory after these years
of war.
I should like to thank the staff of the School Clinic for their
efficient help, and also the staff of the Bromley and District
hospital. (Signed) R. H. RUSHTON.
Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic.
Specialist Consultative Service and operative treatment for
tonsils and adenoids at the School Clinic remains in abeyance
Twelve cases were referred for operative treatment to hospital
in the early part of the year, but hospitals under emergency
needs were unable to take any tonsil and adenoid cases in the
latter half of the year. 197 cases received other forms of treament
at the School Clinic.
It is very debatable as to whether full benefit is obtained of
the routine tonsil and adenoid operative treatment: there are
cases that benefit, but there is a tendancy to operate merely
because of tonsil enlargement.