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and clothing was found to be below a standard of personal hygiene necessary for the maintenance
of health. The following is a list of the defects or deviations from normality
observed by the doctor or described by the mother and recorded at the time of examination
of this group of two and three year old children. The list does not differentiate between
the minor and major defects, but no defect was recorded unless it was considered necessary
to advise treatment or to keep the child under observation. The classification of defect
is based on the one prescribed by the Ministry of Education for school children, in order
to enable comparisons to be made,
Defect
Teeth
Eyes
Ears
Nose or Throat
Speech
Cervical Glands
Heart & Circulation
Lungs
Development (a) Hernia
(b) Other
Orthopaedic (a) Posture
(b) Feet
(c) Other
Nervous System (a) Epilepsy
(b) Other
Mental Development
Behaviour Difficulties
Other Defects
No. of children
in which found
332
95
13
161
27
35
21
54
21
11
117
237
55
2
21
12
69
121
1,573 children (56.85%) out of 2,767, were found to be in satisfactory health and
free from any defect. In addition, there were 273 children in whom there was no defect
except dental caries or other dental abnormality. Of the children found to be in need of
observation or treatment, the advice given at this early stage should in many cases help
to ensure speedy return to normal health and development and should in time be reflected
by a decrease in the number of defects found amongst the five year old school entrants.
The mothers who bring their young children to these "birthday examinations" show
obvious appreciation of their opportunity to discuss in an unhurried and friendly way the
child1s growth, development and behaviour, and to seek, and usually to receive, assurance
that all is going well.
During the coming year these invitations will be extended to cover children reaching
their fourth birthday.

The figures all show an increase as compared with the previous year, but this is
particularly marked in the age group 1 - 5 years.
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