[Report 1910] / Medical Officer of Health, Tynemouth County Borough.

  • Tynemouth (England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1910
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1910] / Medical Officer of Health, Tynemouth County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    88/98 (page 26)
    I would draw attention between the number of children with some degree of un-healthiness of the back of the nose and throat, and the number classified as “ Below Normal ” in nutrition, as I believe there is a relationship, though undoubtedly the worst cases of enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids seem to run in members of the same family. If I may venture an opinion as to the causation and amelioration, apart from medical treatment of an unhealthy throat, I would state that there are two factors tending to produce it, viz. :—(A) Allowing a constant running from the nose, and discharge from the back of the throat to collect, without employing some simple means to remove the discharge, such as a handkerchief—an article most conspicuous by its absence in the schools—and thereby prohibiting the child from breathing through the nose. (B) The rearing of children, up to 5, in unduly hot or impure atmospheres, or “coddling” in any form. As stated before, 1 believe breathing exercises, practised in a pure atmosphere, physical exercises, outdoor games, and daily cleansing of the teeth, are the means to prevent or ameliorate slight cases. EARS AND HEARING. Evidence of ear disease was present as follows External Ear Disease. Obstruction. Suppuration. Right. Left. Both Ears. Somewhat Deaf. Deaf. 4 9 11 10 3 25 6 Attention has been given to impressing upon parents the danger and evil effects accruing from discharging ears, and the necessity of per serving in some daily attention apart from seeking medical advice. All the cases of deafness seen were the result of this complaint in the first place. Satisfactory tests for the graduation of hearing I find difficult in many schools owing to the noise from adjacent rooms or street. MENTAL CONDITION. Bright. 329 Fair. 411 Dull. 118 Backward. 38 Mentally Defective. 1