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85
Many children attended at various intervals for the purpose
of observation. In some cases the glasses had to be changed
after an interval.
Treatment of Squint.—This condition urgently requires
treatment when noticed in a child. The wearing of spectacles
is often sufficient to bring the eyes into line and cure the
condition. In certain cases this measure is insufficient, and
recourse must be made to an operation to bring the eye
straight.
These children with squint are a source of much worry
to the school doctor. After having the necessary spectacles
prescribed they require constant watching, and special
educational treatment sometimes. It is much to be regretted
that so many squints are neglected in early life, with the
consequence that the eyes have become fixed in the squinting
position by the time the child reaches the school age.
Nutrition.—The estimation of the degree of nutrition
involves several considerations, such as physique, muscular
development, firmness of subcutaneous tissues, facial appearance,
redness of mucous membranes, condition of hair,
eyes, etc., 921 were considered to show good nutrition,
1,574 normal nutrition, 128 poor. The greater number
of children were classified as normal, but it must not
be thought that normal in this case means satisfactory. We
should like to see all children classified as having good
nutrition. At present there is much room for improvement.
Lack of food is, of course, of minor importance in a district
such as Ilford. Rather more importance must be attached
to the use of unsuitable food, especially in infancy and early
childhood. The matter lies beyond the purview of the school
doctor at present, and we can only hope that. increasing
knowledge of hygiene amongst parents will lead to improvement.