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The commonest reason for admission is a failure to thrive, the cause
of which cannot be discovered or overcome by health visiting and enquiry
at the Clinics. In most instances the ordinary routine of the ward with
punctual hours of sleep and meals, open air, and simple food soon
achieves what is required. Its ultimate value depends upon the ability
of the parents to appreciate and carry out the same sort of management.
They are encouraged to come and see the work in operation, and many
grasp its principles and continue to put them into force.
One case of Mumps and one of Measles occurred. There were four
other infants under two years of age in the ward when the case of Measles
developed, none of whom had previously had it. Protective serum
obtained from the L .C .C. laboratory was administered and none contracted
the illness. The ward also contained a four-year-old child of an exceptionally
timid nature and prone to attacks of vomiting and prostration.
It was thought undesirable to subject her to the disturbance of injecting
the serum. She developed Measles 19 days after the original case. The
illness ran a normal course and she made a good recovery.
Two babies died of Enteritis.
Surgical.
120 children were admitted for the removal of tonsils and adenoids.
They enter the ward on Sunday afternoon, are operated on on Monday
morning and discharged on Friday. This is a longer period of supervision
than is usually considered necessary after this operation, but it is
desirable when it is performed on very young children. They return
home free from discomfort and able to eat their ordinary meals and, as
a rule, undisturbed by the experience.