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mothers of 5 of these children were present and agreed as to the
improvement effected. Head Teachers' reports were available in
6 of the cases and were all satisfactory.
"(b) Discharged December, 1936.— Two children (1 each with
speech defect and stammer). Head Teachers reported respectively
'completely cured' and 'great improvement.'
"(c) Still under Treatment (replies to Questionnaire).'— Ninetyeight
replies have been received, and the following are the replies
to the specific question, 'Do you consider that Speech Therapy has
been helpful ?'—
Yes, 81; No, 10; Indefinite, 7.
"In addition, replies had previously been obtained from Head
Teachers with regard to 8 other children, and of these 7 were
improved.
"Summarising groups (a), (b) and (c), the position is as
follows:—
Improved, 98; Indefinite, 10; No improvement, 8; Total, 116.
"Following consideration of the recommendation made, your
Committee decided to make the appointment of Speech Therapist
permanent.''
Extracts from report of Speech Therapist (Miss I. M. S.
Knight):—
"There are in attendance 53 Stammerers and 63 Speech Defects.
The latter include articulation cases, nasal speech, Rhinolalia
(excessive nasal speech) and 6 cases of cleft palatal speech. Of
the total number of cases treated, these vary from time to time,
12 were discharged cured and 11 have either left school to commence
work, or left the district. I am confident in saying not one left
without having benefited in some degree from the treatment
received at the Clinic. It is at this period that much good can
be accomplished by an evening continuation class, and the importance
of this cannot be too strongly urged.
"Stammering is caused by nervous tension due to various
causes and not, as many people suppose, a defect of the speech
organs. Very often stammerers find it impossible to commence
speech and will stand without uttering a single sound for several
moments. The more tense they become, the more difficult and
terrifying speech is to them as the tension increases.