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103
737 cases were referred for treatment in respect of visual
defect during the year 1928 and, including 72 cases awaiting treatment
at the termination of the year 1927, 747 cases have been
treated in the past year. On the 31st of December, 1928, there
were 143 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 116 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.
A Sight-saving Class at Monega Road School was opened by
the Education Committee in June, 1928. 20 children are in attendance
at this class, and they are all kept under observation by the
Ophthalmic Surgeon at certain intervals. The class is certainly
a success, and the Ophthalmic Surgeon's report and observations
in regard thereto will be found on page 119.
(g) Ear Disease.
334 consultations were given and 246 children were treated at
the General Ear Clinic.
(See report of Aural Surgeon, p. 118).
(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. 122.)