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96
Teeth.
It is now being recognised the part defective teeth takes in
the cause of various diseases of the alimentary canal.
A large number of recruits examined since the commencement
of the war have been rejected on account of the bad condition
of their teeth. It now behoves us to look to the future.
Much has been done since the appointment of a part-time Dentist,
but this is only a fraction of what should be done.
There is sufficient work for several full-time Dentists.
439 boys and 385 girls were found to have more than four
decayed teeth, giving percentages of 10.76 and 10.13 respectively.
3,641 boys and 3,416 girls had less than four decayed teeth,
with percentages of 89.24 and 89.87.
Much might be done in the schools by the teaching of dental
hygiene.
The report of the School Dentist for the year 1914 will be
found on pages 111, 112, 113.
Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids.
1105 per cent. of boys and 10.94 per cent. of girls had
slightly enlarged tonsils, and 4.73 per cent. boys and 5.37 per
cent. girls greatly enlarged.
The percentage of children affected with post-nasal adenoids
were 1.62 per cent. of boys and 0.89 per cent. girls with slightly
marked adenoids, and 0.88 boys and 0.58 girls greatly marked.
The presence of very large tonsils and adenoids are a grave
menace to the health of the child. Their presence causes the
child to become a mouth breather, which gives the vacant expression
associated with the condition. Children affected are also
much more susceptible to diseases of the lungs from insufficient
expansion of the chest during respiration owing to the obstruction
of breathing.
These children are also found to be "carriers" of infectious
micro-organisms.