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that could, without a reversion to the semi-raw or raw foods
of the past, assist the coming generations in the 'construction'
of such sound teeth that they will be immune to1 the unnatural
conditions which we impose upon them ?
"There are still a few people who have teeth which are
-able to submit to all the abuses that can be piled upon them,
and yet remain whole and healthy. There are others, who,
taking every known precaution that our knowledge can suggest
to them, lose every tooth before middle life. Possibly
some factor common to either of these classes might give
the clue to the cause of dental caries, and if this could be
established, it would be one step nearer the real prevention
of decay and the true conservation of the teeth.
"It is a great pity that school dental officers, who are in
an ideal position to attempt this line of enquiry, are so
occupied with 'repairs' that they find it difficult, if not
impossible, to spare time for this real work of 'construction.'
"It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge the assistance
and co-operation of my colleagues, both in the compilation
of this report and in our routine work together.
Thanks are also due to the medical and nursing staff, and
to the teaching profession for their assistance in combating
this all-too-prevalent disease."
(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).
The table given at the end of this section shows an
increase under the headings of new cases and attendances,
but a decrease of cases still under treatment. There were
48 cases on the waiting list in December, 1934, increasing
to a maximum of 60 in March and again in May. Since
then the number has been satisfactorily reduced to 8 in
December, 1935.