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do not agree with this standard. The mere slicing off of a
comparatively superficial piece of an Enlarged Tonsil, does not
cure the condition and with the recurrence of throat trouble, tends
to bring the operation to disrepute.
Vision.
129 cases of Visual Defect were submitted for Refraction at
the School Eye Clinic, whilst 20 children were treated privately
or at hospitals. In 123 cases spectacles were prescribed and
provided.
Dental Defects.
819 children were treated by the School Dentist under the
Local Education Authority's Scheme and 714 re-treated. Further
107 attended the Dental Clinic and were referred elsewhere for
treatment, e.g., hospital and '21 attended the Clinic but refused
treatment.
It will be seen that 107 cases of dental defects were referred
to Dental Hospital for treatment. These are almost all cases
requiring orthodontic treatment. The percentage of these cases
that get treated is very small, for which there are two chief
reasons.
1. It is difficult in the present dentally ignorant
state of the population to make many parents understand
that there is need for such treatment. Even the gravely
disfiguring deformity of a bad superior protrusion is often
ignored, if the parent suffered from a similar condition. The
argument being that what was good enough for the parent is
good enough for the child.
2. Expense. Orthondontic work requires frequent visits for
adjustment and supervision. The Chief Medical Officer of the
Board recommends that this work should be done at a Dental
Hospital. Except in rare cases in this district, this is out of
the question, the rare cases being almost all the children of
men working on the railways, who get special passes.
What does a days' journey to a London Hospital mean?
(a). Railway fares for two, mother and child, varying
from 2/3 to 3/-.