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(h) Ear Disease and Hearing.
.02 per cent. of the children examined were found to be
suffering from otitis media, as compared with 0.1 per cent. in
1927. The percentage of deaf children was 0.4, the corresponding
number for last year being 0.7.
(i) Dental Defects.
(See report of Dental Surgeon on p. 122).
(j) Crippling Defects.
Reference to Table III on page 131 will furnish information
with regard to the occurrence of crippling defects in the area. 24
cases of crippling due to tuberculosis and 105 cases due to other
causes were discovered at routine medical inspection during the
year.
6. INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
A detailed account of the scheme adopted for the detection
and prevention of infectious diseases has been submitted in previous
reports, and the accompanying table will furnish statistics
in regard to the incidence of the acute infectious diseases during
the year 1928.
There has been a marked increase in the incidence of scarlet
fever, diphtheria, measles and whooping cough.
The marked increase in the incidence and severity of diphtheria
is a matter for grave concern (29 children of school age and 25
children under school age died from this disease during the year),
and it is proposed to ask the Local Authority to adopt the principle
of immunisation with a view to offering such treatment to
those who make application. A very wide response is not anticipated
at the outset, as the growing public attitude against vaccination
is bound to have a deterrent effect. On the other hand the
absence of any suggestion of compulsion, together with the distribution
of suitably worded propaganda, may result in the protection
of a fair percentage of children. One appreciates that treatment
should be concentrated primarily upon children under school age
and this question will be raised at the Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee.