View report page

56
Open-air
schools for
non-tuberculous
children.
The nine day open-air schools for non-tuberculous children maintained by the
Council have continued their excellent work.

Holly Court
open-air
school.
The following report has been submitted by Dr. C. N. Atlee on Holly Court
open-air school:—
During the year 124 children were admitted to this school, and 133 were discharged as
absolutely fit, the number on the roll being 266.
The average gain in weight per head showed an increase on last year, being 4 kgms. in the
case of the boys, and 4-3 in the case of the girls ; two exceptional cases were noted, one boy
actually gaining 10 kgms., and one girl 12 kgms. during one year.
Holly Court is favoured with a particularly efficient cooking staff, and special attention has
been paid to the question of diet for the children. It has been found possible to vary and
improve the meals, particular stress being laid on the regular inclusion in the diet of such
articles as lettuce, watercress, milk, butter, fruit, eggs and good meat. In addition, the liquor
from boiled vegetables, carrots and greens, is regularly incorporated in other dishes (this being
an important food factor which is usually deficient in most children's diet).
Thirty children are now regularly practising lung expanding exercises with the Woulff's
bottle, which pleases them and has undoubtedly proved beneficial in asthmatio and bronchial
cases, as well as in children with poorly expanded chests. Bronchiectatip cases are, in addition,
rested in an inclined posture, to facilitate lung drainage.
The new Board of Education regime of physical training has been put into use, and out of
door occupational therapy is regularly carried out, in the shape of such forms of work as
gardening, path laying in concrete, crazy paving, etc.
Sunlight treatment is also done, but our experience is that the children derive most benefit
from the fresh air, irrespective of any sunshine.
Seven cases of minor notifiable disease have occurred during the year.
Upton House
open-air
school.
Of Upton House open-air school, Dr. Legge has reported:—
Healthy bronzing of the skin and a generally increased air of alertness were very noticeable
in the great majority of the children.
Few children like to go back to ordinary school, but an endeavour is made to return them
to the elementary school in about 12 to 18 months, in order to give as many children as possible
that need it a chance of a stay at the open-air school.
Organised games are particularly well provided for at Hackney Downs and Millfields.
The boot club, run by the care committee, is very helpful to the more needy children in the
matter of providing adequate footwear.
The meals—breakfast, mid-day dinner and tea—are well balanced, sufficient in quantity
and tastefully prepared. Special attention is also paid to extra nourishment for those children
who are considered to need it. The average number on cod-liver oil is 33, on Parrish's food 18,
and on extra milk 14. In my opinion the most important single physical factor for good in these
open-air schools, is the adequate feeding the youngsters get, aided—immensely aided—by the
increased metabolism induced by the out-door life.
Downham
open-air
school.
Dr. Kathleen Butterfield has reported as follows on the Downham open-air
school:—
The number of children in attendance during the year was 141, their ages varying from 8 to
14 years. Of these, 110 have been in attendance throughout the year. During this period 30
children were admitted to the school, 5 were discharged as fit for an elementary school, 4 left
the district, and 8 left school on reaching the age of 14 years. Of the last, all were in good
condition when they left.
Sun-bathing in specially designed costumes was possible on many occasions during the
summer, and many children became well tanned. No child evidenced any ill-effect. Spray
baths, which were optional, were freely used during the summer months.
The garden and grassland attached to the school are now well drained, so that the children
have more room for exercise than was possible at first.