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74
which require expert attention. In addition there are a number of
chronic eye conditions which if dealt with ewrly, can be comparratively
easily cured. A certain number of these—owing to lach
of facilities for treatment—come into the school with a condition
more or less established, and very difficult, if not impossible to treat.
There are also a number of commencing squints due to defect of
vision. If these are dealt with in time and proper spectacles provided,
in the majority of cases the squint can be avoided. There
is no need to stress the great importance of the prevention of squint
to a man, much more so to a woman. These cases are few, butt their
importance is great. If arrangements are made for the extra
assistance which we require, it will be possible to deal with these at
the Eye Clinic.
With regard to the provision of glasses the present contract for
school cases would provide all that is required in the way of glasses
at the price of 4/6 per pair, and they will usually be paid for by
parents; but there will be ai certain number to be provided either free
or at reduced cost in oases of poverty. So far as I can see at present
a sum of £2 : 0 : 0 would be sufficient to cover this contingency
for the first year.
Speaking from experience, it is doubtful if we undertook the
minor ailments work in the existing Clinics whether it would male
an average addition to the work throughout the year of one case per
day. The importance of these cases however is much greater than
their numbers would indicate, ais often these younger members of a
family are a imirce of infection or reinfection to the elder members
of the family who are dealt with through the School Clinics. On
these grounds facilities have been provided for some considerable
time for the treatment of cases of ringworm, in children under
school age, occurring in families where there are children who attend
school, and it only seems logical to extend these same facilities
for treatment to other cases where contagion may spread.