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21
It will be seen therefore that the Clinics not only provide daily
treatment for minor ailments, but serve as centres for more detailed
examination of special cases which the pressure of routine medical
inspection at schools will not permit.
(b). Tonsils and Adenoids.
As previously stated, 279 children were referred for treatment
on account of enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Of this number, 48
were operated on at the Hounslow Hospital under the arrangements
made by the Authority in 1921; 68 received operative treatment
by private arrangement of the parents, and one case received
non-operative treatment. The actual number treated during 1930
is therefore 117 out of 279 referred for treatment, making 42%,
compared with 40% in 1929 and 25% in 1928.
Our methods of arranging treatment remain the same as in
past years. A child must be referred for treatment by one of the
Medical Officers and the parents are then given an application form
on which they are asked to state details of their income and outgoings,
number in family, etc. As soon as this form is completed
and returned, it is forwarded to the Education Secretary who fixes
the amount the parents shall be asked to contribute towards the
cost of the operation. The parents are then asked to give their
written consent to the operation, and the child's name and address
is sent to the Secretary of the Hounslow Hospital, who makes the
appointment for operation. Every case is specially examined at
the Clinic a few days after the operation.
The Authority pays the Hospital one guinea for each operation.
The parents' contribution is calculated in accordance with
the following scale : —
Weekly family income Contribution
per head
Under 8/- nil.
From 8/- to 10/- 5/-
From 10/- to 12/- 10/-
Above 12/- 21/-
A great deal of trouble has been experienced during the year
in dealing with the children of people belonging to the Hospital
Savings Association. This Association does not undertake to pay
the full cost of Tonsils and Adenoids operations, and its vouchers
are not accepted by the local hospital in this connection. The
Association has, however, offered a repayment not exceeding 7/in
each case operated on, provided the parents first pay the