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Defect No. of children in which found
Teeth 504
Skin 119
Eyes (a) Vision 6
(b) Squint 86
(c) Other 23
Ears (a) Hearing 5
(b) Otitis media (R 6
(L 4
(c) Other 6
Nose or Throat 94
Speech 72
Cervical Glands 64
Heart and circulation 35
Lungs 32
Development (a) Hernia 16
(b) Other 20
Orthopaedic (a) Posture 115
(b) Feet l80
(c) Other 57
Nervous System (a) Epilepsy 8
(b) Other 3
Psychological (a) Mental Development 28
(b) Stability
(Behaviour Difficulties) 208
Other Defects 42
Forty per cent of the children were found to be In satisfactory health and free from
any defect (as compared with 51% for the previous year), and in addition there were 14$ in whom
there was no defect except for carious teeth (as compared with 15$ for the previous year).
The increase in the number of children with defects seems to be mainly accounted for
by an increase of 46 children showing enlarged cervical glands, 17 more with ear, nose and throat
conditions, and an increase of 32 with behaviour difficulties. It may well be that these
increases are due to a different interpretation by a number of medical officers conducting the
examinations, than to any real increase in pathalogical condition. This is commonly known as
observer variation" and is unavoidable where a number of different persons are recording their
observations on conditions which are not very precisely defined.
It is unfortunate that there is no decrease in the amount of dental decay, as this
should be a preventable condition. Further research is necessary into the cause and prevention
of dental disease in relation to heredity, bottle feeding, dummies, diet, and tooth cleaning.
We are however on safe ground in recommending a well balanced diet, and no eating or drinking
apart from water between meals. It is advisable for the child to finish his meal with a piece
of fibrous fruit and vegetables (such as carrot or apple). Chocolates and sweets should be eaten
as part of the main meals.
Tooth brushing last thing at night, is essential. If tooth brushing after all meals
is regarded as impracticable, then children should be taught to rinse and swallow with plain
water three times after eating or drinking. This greatly reduces the amount of starchy food
which otherwise adheres to the teeth and causes decay.
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