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98
"The postural defects of the spine still remain rather high
being about 15% of the total, but I do consider that this number
will gradually be reduced as better facilities are now available
for physical training in the schools by teachers who have had
gymnastic training. I am of the opinion that it is quite as
important, if not more so, to have such teachers available in
the primary schools as in the secondary schools; after all it is
easier to correct bad habit early rather than to wait until the
condition has become established for some years.
"Flat feet still take up a great deal of our time at the
orthopaedic clinics and about 30% of the new cases come under
this category. Most of these are symptomless and quite a number
of them only need suitable shoes, unfortunately children's
shoes are bad at the present time; in the case of children with
long narrow feet it is very often necessary for the mother to get
a medical certificate before the retailer will supply proper shoes.
"Whilst most of the cases are classified as deformities the
aim of the Orthopaedic Clinic is wherever possible to prevent
deformities."

EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN: HANDICAPPED CHILDREN.
All exceptional children including those to be certified as
handicapped children are referred to a special clinic held at the
Municipal Offices on Saturday mornings and on other occasions
as circumstances demand.
At the year's end we had records of 176 children classified
as " exceptional " of whom 88 have been certified as handicapped
and not suitable for education in ordinary schools. Twenty-five