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scarlet fever, influenza, and the common cold, occurring in children
with enlarged tonsils and adenoids are the chief cause of ear
trouble. Dental sepsis is also an important contributory factor.
Removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids and attention to oral
and nasal hygiene are the principal measures for preventing ear
diseases. Greater supervision in the pre-school period would also
undoubtedly help to reduce the incidence of these defects.
(g) Dental Defects. At the routine inspections by the
Medical Officer two hundred and fifty-eight children were found
to have defective teeth requiring treatment, and nineteen to
have defective teeth requiring to be kept under observation.
Thus out of a total of 1,999 children examined in school, two
hundred and seventy-seven or 13.85% were found to have dental
caries to such an extent as to require treatment or to require
their being kept under observation. During the year 1932 the
percentage was 13.95.
Amongst the '2,421 children who attended the Health
Centre as special cases, sixteen were found to be suffering from
dental defects which required treatment.
(h) Orthopaedic and Postural Defects. At the routine
inspections five cases of deformity due to rickets were discovered.
Four of these cases required treatment and one required to be
kept under observation. In addition there were twenty-four
cases of spinal curvature, sixteen requiring treatment and eight
requiring to be kept under observation.
There were also twenty-eight other cases of orthopaedic and
postural defects, eighteen of which required treatment and ten
requiring to be kept under observation.
At the special inspections at the Health Centre, one case
of deformity due to rickets and ten cases of spinal curvature
were detected, all requiring treatment. Nine other cases of
orthopaedic and postural defects were found at these inspections,
eight of which were referred to the Orthopaedic Clinic and one
kept under observation. The conditions found at the routine
and special inspections, and classified under "other deformities,"
were due to old infantile paralysis, flat foot, knock knee, congenital
deformities, paralysis following birth, tumour of bones,
old injuries, etc.
Nearly all these cases were referred for examination by the
Surgeon at the Orthopaedic Clinic and details of the defects found
are given under the section devoted to treatment.
(i) Heart Disease and Rheumatism. Particulars regarding
children suffering from heart defects at the routine and special
inspections are shown in Table II.
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