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151
During the year 1932, 12,819 attendances were made for
treatment at the various clinics, and there were 16,122 attendances
for consultation with the Medical Officers.
(a) Minor Ailments.
An analysis of the chief minor ailments treated at the School
Clinics, and otherwise, will be found in Table IV, Group 1, p. 181.
(b) Tonsils and Adenoids.
In the case of children moderately affected and requiring to
be kept under observation advice has been given as to general
hygiene, diet, the necessity for dental treatment, and for breathing
exercises, etc. Of the children referred for treatment 476 have
received operative treatment with marked beneficial results to their
general health.
Arrangements for the performance of these operations are in
force with four hospitals, viz., St. Mary's, Plaistow; Balaam
Street Children's Hospital; Queen Mary's Hospital, Stratford;
and East Ham Memorial Hospital.
Arrangements have been made to carry into effect the recommendation
of the Board of Education in regard to the visitation of
children after the operation.
The widespread publication in the general Press of controversial
matters in connection with the operation for the removal of
tonsils and adenoids has resulted in increased opposition to advice
given in regard to the need for the operation. The County Borough
of East Ham, in common with many other Authorities, have a
definite scheme in force whereby these operations are undertaken
solely by Specialists in diseases of the ear, nose and throat.
It is hardly feasible to suggest that these Surgeons would
perform unnecessary operations, even taking into account the
posibility that Assistant School Medical Officers might refer, to
them, cases in which there was no indication for operative interference
: furthermore the East Ham Education Authority possess
the services of a School Aural Surgeon to whom doubtful cases
may be referred. One can only regret the publicity given to this
question, and retain the hope that the Board of Education will
continue to insist upon this operative procedure being performed
by Specialists in this branch of surgery.