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43
(It) Ear Disease and Hearing.
The number of these cases again shows a fall. 0'29 per
cent, of the children examined were found to be suffering from
otitis media, as compared with 1 per cent, in 1922. The percentage
of deaf children was 1'28, the corresponding number for
last year being 2'5. (See report of the Aural Surgeon, p. G2.)
(i) Dental Defects.
See report of Dental Surgeon, p.p 68—71).
0 ) Crippling Defects.
Reference to Table 111, on p. 78, will furnish information
with regard to the incidence of crippling defects in the area. 54
cases of crippling due to tuberculosis and 247 cases due to other
causes were discovered at routine medical inspection during the
year.
6. INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
A detailed account of the scheme adopted for the detection
and prevention of infectious diseases was submitted in my report
for 1920.
The number of children of school age notified during the
year 1923 as suffering from scarlet fever and diphtheria was
103 and 83 respectively.
It has long been recognised that the spread of infectious
disease depends largely upon the personal conveyance of infection
by those who have been in contact therewith, and although the
disinfection of fomites and infected houses is possibly important,
the rigid isolation and quarantine of contacts is the only means
by which we can hope to bring about a marked diminution in the
number of cases of acute infectious disease.
With this end in view the following scheme has been
elaborated whereby not only is the School Medical Service provided
with valuable records as to the medical history of the
school children and with important statistical information, but
the early exclusion from school of actual and contact cases is
assured and the prevention of the spread of infection greatly
assisted. Furthermore, fewer loopholes exist for contact, or mild
cases of the disease, to attend school for several days without the