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(h) Ear Disease and Hearing.
1.6 per cent of the children examined were found to be
suffering from otitis media. (0.1 per cent in 1933.) The percentage
of deaf children was 0.4, the corresponding number for last
year being 0.4.
(i) Dental Defects.
(See Report of Dental Surgeon.)
(j) Crippling Defects.
Reference to Table III will furnish information with regard to
the occurrenc of crippling defects in the area. 71 cases were
discovered at routine medical inspection during the year.
6. Infectious Diseases.
The accompanying table gives some indication as to the incidence
of the principal notifiable and non-notifiable infectious
diseases in children of school age.
The statistics in regard to the non-notifiable infectious
diseases are compiled from returns submitted by the Head
Teachers and Attendance Officers and cannot be regarded as exact.
Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and Measles all show an increased
incidence during the year but, whilst Measles threatened to assume
epidemic proportions at the commencement of the year, the number
of cases of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria did not give rise to
serious anxiety at any period. Unfortunately many of the
Diphtheria cases were of the severe type and resulted in a comparatively
heavy mortality amongst children of school age.
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. 242 swabs were taken for this purpose,
and the fact that one of these proved to be positive
shows the importance of this procedure.