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17. BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND EPILEPTIC
CHILDREN.
Physically Defective Children.
Table III reveals the very regrettable fact that 33 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 289 children, who are considered
physically defective, are attending public elementary
schools, and since suitable treatment is not available for these cases
it is not improbable that a number of them will ultimately join the
ranks of the unfit.
The present policy of the Local Education Authority, in
regard to these children, is to increase the number of reservations
in Residential Schools, and this is undoubtedly a sound proposition
although progress is somewhat slow.
In regard to the 95 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 33 children, who come within this category,
receiving no education, and there are 125 children of this type who
have been allowed to attend the ordinary elementary school under
special conditions and with special precautions.
Mentally Defective Children.
During the year 1932, the number of cases examined for
purposes of the Mental Deficiency Acts, was 56 (64 in 1931).
Of these 12 were classified as mentally deficient, and 35 as dull and
backward, recommendations being made as shown in the following
table:—