mon physical defects are given below; they ought
to be more generally known than they are. If a child exhibits one or
more of the symptoms mentioned, he ought to be given a complete physical
examination by a competent physician, and treatment, if needed, should
begin without delay. The idea that children will outgrow these defects
without treatment is erroneous. Better, however, than waiting until
symptoms appear is the modern way of giving every child a physical
examination at stated intervals, a practice already common in public
schools where effective health work is carried on.

EYESTRAIN frequently comes from imperfections in the shape of the eye;
these imperfections can almost always be corrected by glasses. When a
child is suffering from eyestrain, the eyes themselves may show
indications of trouble; they may be blood-shot, the lids may itch or be
crusted or inflamed, or styes may appear. In other cases the symptoms of
eyestrain have no apparent connection with the eyes; such symptoms are
headache, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, fatigue, irritability, poor
scholarship, and nervous exhaustion. If a child shows any of these
symptoms, or if he rubs his eyes, frowns, squints, wrinkles his
forehead, sits bent over his book, or develops round shoulders, there is
sufficient reason for having his eyes examined by an oculist.
Examination by an optician should not be considered sufficient.

ENLARGED TONSILS AND ADENOIDS.--The tonsils are masses of spongy tissue
situated at the back of the mouth, on either side of the opening into
the throat. If enlarged they may seriously interfere with breathing, and
if diseased they frequently harbor the germs causing many acute
infections, as well as germs of rheumatism and most of the heart
disease originating in early life. Therefore the tonsils ought to be
removed if they are diseased or greatly enlarged, but there is
ordinarily no good reason for removing normal tonsils.

Adenoids are situated at the back of the nose, and like the tonsils are
composed of spongy tissue. Adenoids sometimes become so enlarged that
they interfere with the passage of air through the nose, thus
predisposing to catarrh, colds, and other respiratory diseases, to high
palate with irregular teeth, to inflammation of the middle ear leading
to deafness, to diminished mental activity, and to general poor health.

If a child breathes through his mouth, if he snores at night, keeps his
mouth open and has a dull,