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other by a question whispered in a low tone. Even slight
degrees of deafness can thus be detected in younger as well
as older children. The most common causes of deafness in
children are :—
(1) Wax in the Outer Ear.—This is not such a simple ailment
as might appear, as the wax frequently overlies a perforation
in the drum of the ear. The routine syringing of ears
by untrained persons is not to be recommended, and in
any case should not be performed unless a thorough
examination with light and head mirror has previously
been carried out by the doctor.
(2) Diseases in the Middle Ear.—This may either result from
(a) a simple catarrh due to obstruction from adenoids, or
(b) suppuration, which causes a "running ear," and may
occur after such infectious diseases as measles, scarlet
fever and diphtheria. Probably measles is the cause of
more cases of serious deafness in children than any other
disease. In many cases of " running ears " from which
children are found to suffer, attention to the underlying
cause in the nose and throat is sufficient. Long-continued
cases with offensive discharge are due to diseased bone,
and can only be cured by its radical treatment.
Many cases of children with slight deafness as a cause of
backwardness come under the notice of the doctor, who, by
ensuring that adequate treatment is carried out and that the
child is placed in a suitable position in the class, can save much
annoyance to a teacher and retarded education to the child.
(h) Dental Defects.—141 children, or 9 per cent., were found
to be suffering from teeth so defective as to impair their health,
and were referred to the School Dentist for treatment. A more
complete inspection of the teeth of the children is carried out by
the Dentist, a summary of the results of which appears on page
117, Table IV. (D. 1 and 2).
(i) Crippling Defects.—One child was found to be suffering
from spinal curvature. In addition, 14 children were found to be
suffering from minor deformities, which could be corrected by
special physical exercises.