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45
A large number of nasal conditions have been treated during the
year by diastolisation and vibration (for deafness). The rationale
and details of this procedure have been set out fully in previous annual
reports, but it is necessary here to repeat that cases for such treatment
must be carefully selected as it is quite unsuitable for use in certain
types.
Tonsil suction treatment described in detail in previous years
continues to give most satisfactory results, but here again careful
selection of cases must be made. It is quite unsuitable where there
is a very large mass of adenoid tissue accompanying the enlarged
tonsils and causing obstruction in the posterior nasal pharynx. It
cannot, however, be emphasised too strongly from experience of
results observed in a very large number of examinations made where
tonsils and adenoids had been previously removed for a variety of
reasons, that removal of tonsils in young children merely for hypertrophy
as the major and often only indication should be condemned.
It has no clinical or scientific basis and the many failures of the
operation confirm this.
Routine Audiometer Testing.—During the war years it has been
impossible to continue audiometric testing of the whole school
population as in pre-war years, though the audiometer has been
regularly used at the aural clinic and for special cases referred from
the Authority's School for the Deaf. The scientific accuracy of the
pure-tone audiometer in detecting loss of hearing of a very slight
degree, fully justifies the intention to re-establish the practice of
routine audiometer testing of the whole school population.
Annual Table of Returns.—The classification of the findings of
the aural clinic first instituted in its present form in 1938, has proved
invaluable for reference. We include this year for completeness the
returns for the years 1943 and 1944 (as well as the year under
review), as during the war years this annual classification had lapsed
by reason of the pressing need for economy in time and paper,
Certain minor additions or modifications are explained in the
appended "notes" in accordance with changes we have found by
experience to be desirable.