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(e) External Eye Diseases. 87 children with external eye
diseases received treatment at the Health Centre. The more
serious cases were referred to the Ophthalmic Surgeon attending
the refraction clinic. Many of these children suffering from external
eye diseases require daily treatment over fairly long periods.
As in the case of many other minor ailments it is very difficult for
a great number of the parents to carry out this treatment
adequately at home. At the Health Centre the treatment is
done by the School Nurses under the guidance of one of the
Medical Staff. If the children are irregular in their attendance
they are followed up at home. These defects are consequently
more rapidly rectified and a considerable gain in school attendance
results.
5 children suffering from diseases of the eye were sent to
hospital for treatment.
(f) Vision. At the end of the Easter term Mr. Moxon resigned
his appointment as Oculist to the Education Committee
and Dr. J. P. Crawford was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Details of the work of the refraction clinic are given in Table IV,
Group II.
This clinic is held every Monday afternoon from 2 to 4.30.
Frequently during the year it was necessary to hold further
sessions on Thursday afternoons. The refraction clinic continued
to be well attended and is much appreciated by the parents.
338 children were examined by the Ophthalmic Surgeon during
the year. Glasses were prescribed in 126 cases and in 125 cases
the spectacles were obtained. The remaining case had not received
the spectacles at the end of the year, as they had not
arrived from the optician.
Every child is seen again at the clinic by the Ophthalmic
Surgeon after the spectacles have been obtained. In cases of
myopia the children are re-examined twice a year. Children
suffering from other types of defective vision are re-tested at
the refraction clinic at the end of twelve months. It is only
very occasionally that any difficulty is experienced in persuading
parents to provide glasses for a child. In no case was
there a persistent refusal.
(g) Ear Diseases. 87 children, with minor ear defects were
treated at the Health Centre. Most of these cases were suffering
from otorrhoea, wax in the ear, or eczematous conditions
of the meatus. It is most important that children with running
ears should receive regular treatment. Here again it is often
difficult for parents to carry out this properly at home. These
children attend daily at the Health Centre until the condition
is cured. Where necessary, operative treatment is provided
for the removal of the tonsils and adenoids.
(h) Dental Treatment. During 1930 the routine inspection
by the School Dental Surgeon was extended so as to include all
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