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of moderate degree, as compared with 7.4 per cent.; 0.1 per
cent.; and 0.2 per cent. respectively in the year 1936.
(d) Tuberculosis.
The total number of cases of tuberculosis, occurring in children
of school age, notified to the Medical Officer of Health during
the year, was as follows:—
Boys Girls Total
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 8 10 18
Other forms of Tuberculosis 13 7 20
21 17 38
(e) Skin Disease and (f) External Eye Disease.
At medical inspections during the year, 568 children were
found to be suffering from skin affections (as compared with 559
in the year 1936). Eighty-five cases of external eye disease were
discovered, as compared with 104 in the year 1936.
(g) Vision.
Only children with marked visual defect have been referred
for treatment and these, including cases of strabismus, numbered
425. In addition, there were 234 children in whom there was
evidence of a lesser degree of visual defect and these are being
kept under observation.
(h) Ear Disease and Hearing.
1.2 per cent. of the children examined were found to be suffering
from otitis media. (0.9 per cent. in 1936.) The percentage
of deaf children was 0.43, the corresponding number for last year
being 0.25.
(i) Dental Defects.
The percentage of children found, as the result of dental
inspection in the schools, to be in need of dental treatment was
62.8 per cent. as compared with 61.7 per cent. for last year.
The continued high incidence of dental defect is regrettable, and
shows serious laxity in the care of the teeth, despite considerable
publicity given to the subject during recent years.
The School Medical and Dental Officers, the School Nurses
and many of the Head Teachers are constantly stressing the