View report page

45
The presence of the parent generally ensures the necessary subsequent
treatment without much trouble. Occasionally some parents
consult the family doctor—and they are encouraged in this—before _
accepting the advice given, but generally the parents place much
confidence in the school doctors and act as advised.
The great majority are keenly anxious to have obvious defects
remedied.
All cases of Ringworm have had appropriate treatment, and the
prejudice against X Ray treatment for Ringworm diminishes yearly.
Over 90 per cent. of the children found to have defective vision at
the Routine and Special Examinations were seen by the Ophthalmic
Surgeon and had appropriate glasses prescribed for them.
Nearly 70 per cent. of those with Dental defects had treatment, and
of the 514 children with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, or both, 432 or
83 per cent. were operated on.
The co-operation of the Teachers and Attendance Officers, and their
helpfulness in facilitating the work of Medical Inspection and treatment
in 1921, in no way differed from that given in 1920.
So far, no voluntary workers have been enlisted in the after-care or
visiting of children suffering from defects.
13. BLIND, DEAF AND DEFECTIVE
CHILDREN.
There are three special day schools for these children.
The methods adopted for ascertaining and dealing with these children
were fully set out in last year's Report, and have not varied in 1921.
The Mentally Defective Children attend Shernhall Special
Schools.
They have free passes on the tramcars from and to their homes.
Attendance Officers supervise at various points on the tram route
their coming and going to school.
They are taught, in addition to the usual elementary subjects,
handwork such as rug making and mat making, and the older boys go
to a Carpentry Centre and the girls to Cookery and Laundry.
A voluntary After-Care Society is in existence, but its operations are
very limited.
There were 32 boys and 30 girls on the Register at the end of the
year.