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treatment adopted. The teeth of children should not be
extracted unless there is severe toothache, or serious overcrowding
of teeth, or else the doctor is satisfied that the
presence of the decayed teeth is injuriously affecting the
child's health. The consequence of extracting the first teeth
is to prevent proper development of the lower jaw, and consequent
overcrowding of the permanent teeth. What, then,
is to be done with decayed teeth in childhood?
The treatment should be essentially conservative, that is
to say, it should aim at taking the decay at its earliest stages
and preserve the teeth.
The first of the permanent teeth appears in or about the
seventh year of life, and it is to the preservation of the
important permanent teeth that the attention of the dentist
should be directed.
Throat and Nose Conditions.—In 3 per cent. of children
adenoids were present in sufficient amount to cause
harm, and in 1.8 per cent. more they urgently required removal.
The diagnosis of this condition and its harmful effects
have been fully dealt with in previous reports.
Slight enlargement of the tonsils was detected in 12.42
per cent. of the children, and considerable enlargement,
generally necessitating an operation, in 5 per cent. more
children.
Many cases of these enlarged tonsils were co-existent
with the presence of adenoids, the two conditions being
closely related.
Glands.— The condition of the glands in the neck is
easily ascertained by the medical examiner, and affords a
more useful indication of the general health and vigour of
the child. One should not be able to feel the glands in a
perefeotly healthy child. Nevertheless 43 per cent. of the
school children examined showed slight enlargement of the