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90
A full account of this school will be found elsewhere in the
Report.
Ear Disease and Hearing.—Accumulation of wax and foreign
bodies in the cavity of the external ear impair hearing. Bad teeth,
unhealthy and septic conditions of the mouth and naso-pharynx
tend to infect the Eustachian tube, through which infection reaches
the middle ear where an inflammatory condition is set up, often
leading to a perforation of the drum and discharge. As some
zymotic diseases, notably Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria and Measles
attack the Tonsils, Adenoids and accessory sinuses Of the nose, it
will be seen that the incidence of these fevers bears a direct relation
to the occurrence of this troublesome and intractable affection, and
that it will always of a necessity be present to a greater or less
degree.
Dental Defects.—The good physique of the present day elementary
school child due to judicious dietary, rich in vitamines, is
reflected in the improved dentures now so noticeable. There are
fewer debilitated children, too, requiring less prolonged treatment
courses with iron which tends to discolour and erode the teeth.
Crippling Defects.—Crippling defects of all kinds are dealt with
under their various headings. Sixteen children suffering from
Rickets and Spinal Curvature were discovered at medical
inspection.
6. INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
All children found suffering or suspected to be suffering from
any infectious disease are at once excluded from school, and are
not re-admitted until certified by the School Medical Officer to be
free from infection. All contacts are kept under observation, all
suspicious throats, nasal and ear discharges are swabbed. Two
thousand and eight swabs were examined during the year and 235
contained Diphtheria Bacilli.
All cases of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria are sent to the
Council's Isolation Hospital for Infectious Diseases at Chingford
if proper isolation cannot be carried out at home.
1,833 children were excluded under Article 53 (b) during the
year. Of these, 837 were sufferers from infectious or contagious
disease or suspects.
Whooping Cough appeared in epidemic form in the first quarter
of the year, and Measles in the second quarter.