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9
indicates less an increase of malnourished children than the expression
of the prominence given to slight degrees of departure from robust health
by the Board's circular.
Milk was supplied to 250 children on medical grounds in accordance
with the recommendations of the Board of Education's circular No. 1437.
Uncleanliness1.311 children were found to be unclean during 1934.
The average number of children in attendance at school was 19.028.
The percentage of unclean children was therefore 6.89.
In 1933 it was 6.64 per cent.
Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.—There is very little change
from year to year in the incidence of minor ailments, judged by the
numbers recorded in attendance at the minor ailments clinics. There
is nothing noteworthy to state with regard to the methods of ascertainment
of these defects. It may be claimed, however, that the ailments
generally are more amenable to treatment because of two factors, (a) the
early date at which treatment is sought, (b) improved methods of treatment
as the result of experience.
Visual Defects and External Eye Diseases.—It will be observed from
Table IV, Group II, that of the 757 children for whom spectacles were
prescribed, 756 obtained them.
Nose and Throat Defects.—There is a substantial reduction in the
number of children returned as suffering from defects of nose and throat.
This is probably due to the instructions given to the school doctors that
only definitely pathological conditions are to be regarded. There was a
corresponding reduction in the number of operations under your
Authority's scheme. See Table II A, and Table IV, Group III.
Ear Disease and Defective Hearing.—Organic defects of the ear show
a gratifying reduction amongst the children examined, both in the
routine and special inspections and likewise amongst children submitted
to special inspection for hearing defect.
The audiometer has been used systematically for the measurement
of hearing acuity and has proved valuable in assessing the degree of
hearing loss and the measure of gain as the result of treatment. For
the special report upon the work done at the ear clinic, see page 13.