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16
It is important, however, first to define precisely what is
meant by adenoids. They may be generally described as hypertrophy
of the lymphoid tissue in the naso-pharynx.
This condition may exist in any degree, from some slight
thickening producing perhaps a tendency to catarrh, to a mass of
vegetations causing marked obstruction to respiration, mental
dulness, or discharging ears. Adenoids are not invariably to be
recognised with accuracy in the somewhat hurried and imperfect
examination which is possible under the conditions under which
medical inspection is usually carried out. If symptons alone are
relied upon, the diagnosis must frequently be fallacious. If
further measures such as posterior rhinoscopy or digital examination
are to be employed, special light and other conditions are
necessary.
With but few exceptions, every case of suspected adenoids
seen in school during the year has been referred for subsequent
examination at the inspection clinic, where the nose can also be
carefully examined, and several other cases have been sent by the
teachers for special examination at the Inspection Clinic.
Under the arrangement with the St. John's Hospital,
sanctioned by the Board of Education, 51 cases of enlarged tonsils
or adenoids or both, were operated upon, and in addition 54 cases
were operated on at Hospitals elsewhere or privately, making a
total of 105 cases operated on during the year. All cases operated
on at the expense of the Committee, and the majority of cases
operated on by private arrangement were seen afterwards by the
School Medical Officer before their return to school and instructions
given as to breathing exercises.
Eye Diseases and Defective Vision.
Nearly all the cases of conjunctivitis or blepharitis were sent
by the teachers to the inspection clinic and dealt with there ; the
number seen at routine examination was in consequence comparatively
small and these only slight in degree.