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The scheme in respect of women is limited statutorily to
"expectant and nursing mothers." Its value as a preventive health
measure is thereby considerably restricted. The effects of dental
disease are cumulative and by the time many women become eligible
for clinic treatment much physical damage has already been done
by the lack of earlier treatment. Moreover, pregnancy is not by any
means the appropriate time to embark on extensive dental operations.
The remedy is to make treatment available to all women of
reproductive age.
Orthopaedic Treatment
The Council has an arrangement with a private masseuse for the
treatment of minor orthopaedic defects in children referred from the
clinics. During the year, 439 treatments were given for the following
20 cases:—
Sprain 1
Torticollis 1
Curvature of the spine 1
Genu-varum 11
Genu-valgum 9
Muscular weakness 3
26
This number is considerably less than in the year before when
56 children were treated, the reduction being in a large part the result
of evacuation during the second half of the year.
Under an arrangement with the management, orthopaedic cases
are referred to the Out-Patient Department of the Croydon General
Hospital and assistance is available towards the cost of in-patient
treatment and the provision of surgical appliances. Three cases were
provided with special surgical appliances, two free of charge and a
third at part cost, during the year.
Convalescent Treatment.