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102
EAR, NOSE AND THROAT CLINIC.
(See Table III, Group III)
The arrangements whereby cases for specialist treatment are
referred to Farnborough Hospital were continued during the
year, but no case was so referred without the child having been
kept under prior observation at the special medical inspection
clinics.
The number of cases who received operative treatment for
tonsils and adenoids shows a considerable decrease compared
with the figure for 1946, and this is largely due to the discontinuance
of this type of treatment during the outbreak of poliomyelitis
(infantile paralysis) which occurred throughout the
country during the year. The number of children awaiting
operative treatment at 31st December was 137.
No child was found to require treatment for serious diseases
of the ear during 1947.
SPEECH CLINIC.
(See Table III, Group V, and Table VII)
On 14th May, the Kent County Council established a Speech
Therapy Clinic at the South Clinic, Princes Plain, under the
control of Dr. G. Stableforth.
Speech defects require very careful, patient, and protracted
treatment, and the work which is being carried out at this Clinic,
both by Dr. Stableforth and by Mrs. Planer, the Speech
Therapist, is most necessary and valuable.
I am indebted to Dr. Stableforth for the following report:—
" The Speech Clinic in Bromley was opened on 14th May,
1947, for one afternoon session per week. The report covers a
period of nearly six months, allowing for the interval for
summer vacation when the clinic was closed for the month of
August.
" The periods of time required for treatment in cases of
speech defect vary considerably, as a rough guide the following
may be given as estimates.
" Simple dyslalia—May need 3—6 months.
" General dyslalia—6—12 months. Depending on intelligence
of the child and co-operation of parents.
" Multiple dyslalia—6—18 months. Depending on intelligence
of the child and co-operation of parents.
" Cases of paralysis—1—3 years roughly, these cases are
usually of lengthy duration.
" Dysphonias—6—18 months.
" Stammer—Very variable.