Science and Physical Development 



to whether or not there was progressive deterio- 

 ration of the inhabitants of the large towns of 

 Great Britain. "It is enough/' they say, "that 

 there exists in Scotland an undeniable degenera- 

 tion of individuals of the classes where food and 

 environment are defective, which calls for attention 

 and amelioration in obvious ways, one of which is 

 a well-regulated system of physical training." 



But it is when the Report proceeds to deal with 

 the results of the surgical examination of these 

 children that the figures become alarming. We 

 find that in Aberdeen 30 per cent., and in Edin- 

 burgh 53 per cent, of the children were suffering 

 from nose and throat disease, that 36 per cent, 

 and 47 per cent, respectively had eye diseases, 

 and 14 per cent, and 42 per cent, had defective 

 hearing. There were also found among the 

 children undergoing serious physical exercises 

 cases of unexpected valvular heart disease and 

 phthisis cases not giving an appreciable per- 

 centage, but yet which probably in the aggregate 

 number 2000 in Edinburgh and 700 in Aberdeen, 

 all of which ought to be, though none were, re- 

 ceiving special treatment and care ; while medical 

 attention of a more general nature was needed 

 for 16,000 ailing children at school in the two 

 towns. Again, there were examined in Edinburgh 

 altogether 597 children, and of these 553 showed 

 some defect of the ears or throat. With such 

 figures before them, it is not surprising that the 

 Commissioners urge that no proper system of 

 physical training can be enforced till provision 



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