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5,000, or 62½ per cent, require treatment. But that does not
denote that the balance of 37½ per cent, have really sound sets of
teeth. Of the total number, only about 7 per cent, have perfect
mouths and teeth, the remaining 30 per cent, having been made
sound artificially. In short, among every 100 children in
Walthamstow, 7 have perfect teeth and jaws, the remaining 93
being in some way defective. The problem of the cause and
prevention of this condition still remains unanswered.
"Much research work has been undertaken in this connection,
but with, at present, rather confusing results. It appears to me
that a study of the conditions of the feeding, habits and general
environment of as many as possible of the few children who
appear to be immune to dental disease may be the most useful
way to throw some light on to what is still a very dark subject
and when time permits, I am hoping to do a little of this work.
It will, of course, involve the co-operation of parents, teachers
and doctors but this, I am sure, will be gladly given."
Dental Board Demonstrations.— Several Head Teachers
have expressed their appreciation of the demonstrations and their
feeling that valuable propaganda is being done.
It would be unwise to pay too much attention to the apparent
failure in some of the schools to show an increased acceptance
rate following the demonstrations. In particular they are known
to have stimulated those parents who do not wish their children
to attend the Dental Clinics to have them seen to by their private
Dental Surgeons.
(h) Orthopaedic and Postural Defects.— Medical treatment of
these defects is given under an orthopaedic scheme in charge of
the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr. Whitchurch Howell,
F.R.C.S., who holds a monthly Clinic at the Physically Defective
School. Mr. Howell also acts as Honorary Surgeon to the
Brookfield Orthopaedic Hospital, a voluntary institution of 30
beds, recognised as a Hospital School by both the Ministry of
Health and the Board of Education.
Two Masseuses divide their whole time between the Hospital
and the Orthopaedic and Massage Clinic at the Physically Defective
School. Your Authority's cases have priority of admission
to the Hospital.
Details of the work done under the scheme are given in the
Section dealing with Defective Children (Section 13).
(i) Heart Disease and Rheumatism.— Dr. Wilfrid Sheldon,
Physician-in-Charge of the Rheumatism Clinic, reports as
follows:—