View report page

94
to attend bi-weekly for months before clearing up, and, occasionally,
in spite of treatment, partial deafness results. In some
cases it was observed that the hearing was relatively more acute
when the ear was discharging than when it was dry.
Many of the discharges are found to contain Diphtheria Bacilli.
Local antiseptics and dusting powder are applied, with gentle
irrigation. In that way the external ear is kept clean, and free
discharge is allowed to take place through the perforated drum.
Dampness contributes to the continuance of running ears, and such
cases often dry up in the summer weather only to recur in the
winter months.
Of those attending the Clinic for deafness a number were completely
cured on removing an accumulation of wax. Others showed
great improvement after operation for Tonsils and Adenoids.
In the case of partially deaf children, the teachers are instructed
that these should sit on the front benches, otherwise they cannot
possibly benefit by the same teaching as a child with normal
hearing.
Dental Defects.—A Dental Surgeon devotes four mornings and
five afternoons weekly to the treatment of these defects, a fifth
morning being taken up by inspecting Infants' teeth at the schools.
A detailed account of the work done will be found on Table IV,
Group IV.
Crippling Defects and Orthopaedics.—See paragraphs on
special Cripple School and Brookfield Orthopædic Hospital.
9. OPEN AIR EDUCATION.
Drill classes are taken in the playgrounds all the year round,
weather permitting. Classes for ordinary school subjects are also
taken there in summer weather but only to a limited extent. Such
classes should be encouraged and developed.
School journeys and educational visits were made to the British
Museum, London and Bethnal Green Museums, Kew Gardens,
Mint, Colonial Institute, Australia House, Docks and occasionally
to factories and other places of interest. Nature study rambles
are made to Epping Forest, to which we are in close proximity.
The children are very interested in these excursions. About £'200
a year is spent in Educational visits.
During the time the British Empire Exhibition was opened,
7,394 of our school children in charge of teachers visited Wembley,
at a total cost of £493 9s. 1d.