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(h) Ear Disease and Hearing.
0.6 per cent. of the children examined were found to be
suffering- from otitis media, as compared with 0.2 per cent. in
1928. The percentage of deaf children was 0.5, the correspondingnumber
for last year being 0.4.
(i) Dental Defects.
(See report of Dental Surgeon on p. 133.)
(j ) Crippling Defects.
Reference to Table III on page 141 will furnish information
with regard to the occurrence of crippling defects in the area. 6
cases of crippling due to tuberculosis and 73 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 1929.
The high incidence of the more serious acute infectious
diseases, which has been such a source of anxiety during the past
two years, has been followed by a very definite decrease during
the year 1929.
The bacteriological examination of swabs from the throats and
noses of school children is carried out:—
(a) Prior to the admission of children to Schools of Recovery,
Convalescent Homes, etc., in order to ensure freedom
from infection. 58 swabs were taken for this purpose,
and the fact that one of these proved to be positive shows
the great importance of this procedure.
(b) In suspicious cases seen at the Clinics or Schools. 84
swabs were taken and 17 proved to be positive.
(c) In cases where an undetected source of infection appears
to be present in a class or school. 136 swabs were taken
and 10 proved to be positive.