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93
609 cases were referred for treatment 111 respect of visual
defect during the year 1927 and, including a large number of
cases awaiting treatment at the termination of the year 1926, 699
cases have been treated in the past year. On the 31st of December,
1927, there were 72 children, with markedly defective vision,
who had not been seen by the Ophthalmic Surgeon. A waiting
list, such as this, results in considerable delay, and in many cases
a period of from three to four months intervenes between the
discovery of the defect and attendance for treatment. Unfortunately
it has not been possible to give an opportunity of attending
the Ophthalmic Clinic to all the children with lesser degrees of
visual defect. There were 85 such cases discovered during the
year and it is hoped that these children will be dealt with as soon
as the more urgent cases have been treated.
(g) Ear Disease.
396 consultations were given and 296 children were treated at
the General Ear Clinic.
(See report of Aural Surgeon, p. 108.)
(h) Dental Defects.
I again respectfully advise the Committee to consider the
necessity for extending their activities in endeavouring to ensure
dental health and banish so many of those ills which originate
in the mouth. To this end the appointment of at least one additional
Dental Surgeon is a matter of extreme urgency.
It is estimated that one Dental Surgeon can deal satisfactorily
and efficiently with a school population of 5,000, that is to
say, he should be able to give complete treatment to all cases
found to require attention as the result of the dental inspection
of 5,000 children, and subsequently to examine and treat all
entrants and to re-inspect, and re-treat where necessary, at annual
intervals, all the children previously dealt with. This is the only
way to ensure freedom from oral sepsis and dental decay.
(See also Report of Dental Surgeon, p. 118.)
(i) Crippling Defects.
Orthopaedic treatment has been continued under arrangement
made with the Balaam Street Children's Hospital of the
Invalid and Cripple Children's Society.