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In the circumstances, therefore, the problem lies chiefly in
converting the totally and permanently deaf into useful members
of society. This difficult task, it is my privilege to say, is being
carried out with conspicuous and often astonishing success by the
staff of the West Ham centres for deaf children. There are, it is
true, certain cases that do not respond satisfactorily even to the
most meticulous care and skill. These children unhappily suffer
from congenital mental defects in addition to deafness, but even
they, I have observed, benefit materially from the environment in
which they are placed."
(g) Dental defects. My report on school dental work will
be found on pages 389-396 of this report.
(h) Orthopaedic and postural defects. The Authority has
a comprehensive scheme for the treatment of children suffering
from orthopaedic defects. The arrangement is with the
Children's Hospital, Balaam Street, which specializes largely in
work of this type, and the Authority undertakes financial responsibility
for patients treated at the Hospital. During the year
1937 the number of children who were in-patients in the hospital
was 24, and the number treated as out-patients was 91. In
addition to these elementary children, 5 secondary school children
and 14 children from special schools attended as out-patients, so
that the total number of children treated under the Authority's
Scheme at this hospital was 134. Those cases of orthopaedic
and postural defects which were not treated under the Authority's
scheme were dealt with in other ways, and it has been ascertained
that 41 elementary and 7 secondary school children were treated
thus during the year. In addition to this hospital treatment for
early cases, the Committee from time to time maintain special
cases at orthopaedic hospital schools approved by the Board of
Education. Any children who are found to be suffering from minor
postural defects are reported to their head teachers on confidential
lists. Recommendations regarding any definite exercises or drill
which may be required are given according to the nature of the
defect.
The following report is based upon data supplied by Mr.
Kenneth Heritage, F.R.C.S., the orthopaedic surgeon to the
Children's Hospital, Balaam Street, Plaistow.
In-patients. During the year 1937 the number of West
Ham school children who received treatment as in-patients of this
384