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(d) Visual Defects and External Eye Diseases.—The number
of patients requiring treatment and observation was as follows:—
Treatment Observation
Visual defects 351 152
Squint 104 40
External Eye Diseases 60 49
Squint.—The totals of children requiring- treatment or observation
for squint during the last five years, and the totals of
medical inspections and re-inspections were:—
1948 1949 1950 1951 1952
Treatment and
Observation 50 82 68 88 144
Medical Inspections
and re-inspections 7,679 7,342 7,042 7,600 7,194
The annual number of medical examinations did not alter
materially and enquiry is proceeding as to the reasons for the apparent
increased incidence which may be linked with that of
whooping cough and measles. There is also increased awareness
on the part of the medical and nursing staff of the need for early
treatment and knowledge of the facilities which are available. It
is hoped that parents and teaching staff will be equally aware of
the need to bring any case of squint, however slight, under observation
at the earliest possible age.
Dr. R. Bulsara, D.O., D.O.M.S., considers that the apparent
increased incidence may be accounted for by the following
reasons:—
1. The increased care of mothers regarding the physical
well-being of the children.
2. The popularity of the Infant Welfare Centres, and the care
and knowledge of the medical and nursing staff in detecting squint
and in referring minor degrees of squint which previously might
not have been detected or referred for treatment and observation.
3. Close co-operation between teachers and the medical staff.
(e) Nose and Throat Defects.—The number of patients requiring
treatment and observation was as follows:—
Treatment Observation
Enlarged Tonsils 50 151
Adenoids 14 6
Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids 40 41
Other conditions 136 98