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63
perfect eyesight, reading skills and attainment are considerably higher
in short sighted children. As short sight is genetically determined and
the defect often excludes the sufferer from occupations and recreations
requiring normal vision, a tradition of high parental ambition in the
intellectual field has been established in myopic families and this quite
naturally puts the children in a position of advantage.
As myope is attracted to myope by common interests an elite tends
to be formed and the handicap more than adequately compensated by
success in school, university and life.
There have been recent allegations that the intelligence of some of
our immigrants is lower than that of the indigenous population. A look
at the success of the myopes reveals some fallacies inherent in this
proposition.
Special Schools
and Specialist
Clinic
These are the subject of individual reports by Consultants and
Medical Officers in charge.
Statistics
The Department of Education and Science Returns are printed in
the Appendix.
Medical
Treatment
Minor Ailment Clinics:
499 children attended various clinics throughout the Borough in
respect of minor ailments.
Recuperative
Holidays
During 1968, 17 children were recommended for recuperative holidays
and were placed by the Chief Education Officer.
Ophthalmic
Clinic
Specialist Clinics:
Due to the re-arrangement of the appointment system, made at the
request of the Ophthalmologist at Kenwood Gardens Clinic, the number
of sessions held there has increased although the attendances of new
cases has fallen.
A summary of the attendances at the four clinics serving the
Borough is as follows:—