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17. BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND EPILEPTIC
CHILDREN.
Physically Defective Children.
Table III reveals the very regrettable fact that 36 children
suffering from physical defects are receiving no education owing
to their being totally unfit to attend public elementary schools.
In addition it will be seen that 264 children, who are considered
physically defective, are attending public elementary
schools, and since suitable treatment is not available for these cases
it is highly probable that a number of them will ultimately join the
ranks of the unfit.
As reported on previous occasions :—
" The provision of a day open-air school, erected on a
suitable site would tend markedly towards reducing the number
of definitely physically defective children, with the result
that, at no distant date, the present serious need for a large
number of places in Physically Defective Centres and Residential
Open-air Schools would be less urgent."
In regard to the 112 children suffering from glandular and
non-infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, who are attending ordinary
elementary schools, it is obvious that all these cases would benefit
far more from an open-air school life and the liability of relapses
occurring would be almost eliminated.
I would again emphasise the added importance of education
in the case of those who are suffering from a physical handicap.
There are in East Ham 36 children, who come within this category,
receiving no education, and there are 103 children of this type who
have been allowed to attend the ordinary elementary school under
special conditions and with special precautions. A Day School for
Physically Defective Children is urgently needed for these cases.
Mentally Defective Children.
During the year 1931, the number of cases examined for
purposes of the Mental Deficiency Acts, was 64 (59 in 1930).
Of these 19 were classified as mentally deficient, and 40 as dull and