London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1933

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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59
In addition, provision was made for a further 91 children in accommodation
specially set aside for the purpose at Princess Mary's hospital for children, Cliftonville,
Margate. They went in two parties for a fortnight each, from 30th August to 27th
September. The accommodation thus utilised was designated for the period,
"The Holiday School."
Only a very small residue of children failed to receive a holiday for various
reasons, such as removal from district, private arrangements for holiday failed to
materialise, etc.
In this connection the medical officers of the schools report as follows:—
During 1933 two school journey parties (to Whitstable) were organised by the head
mistress, and both were of considerable value to the health of the children concerned. The
county medical officer sent a party of children to Princess Mary's hospital, Margate, a venture
which, in my opinion, thoroughly justified the precedent.—(Nightingale House).
The school journey in the summer was again a complete success. While one cannot expect
any very tangible evidence of benefit, such as increase in weight or marked improvement in the
physical signs of disease, I am satisfied that the school journeys have a very beneficial effect on
the general health of the children.—(Stormont House).
It was curious to note that in the majority of cases the weight of the children after the
school journey had dropped (possibly due to the excessively hot weather during the summer)
but their weights were regained very rapidly after a few weeks and their general health and
resistance appeared to be much improved by the holidays. (Elizabethan).
Convalescent
camp schools.
The numbers of children passing through the residential convalescent camp
schools during 1933 were : boys, 2.890 ; girls, 1,622 ; total, 4,512.
The experimental camp school for mentally defective children at Loughton has
already been described.

In detail the numbers were:—

Provided, schools:—Boys.Girls.
King's Canadian school, Bushy Park2,865
George Rainey, St. Leonards592
Wanstead House, Margate536
Total2,8651,128

Non-Provided schools:—

Fairfield House, Broadstairs201
Russell Cotes school, Bournemouth206
St. Mary's, Dover37
Loughton2550
Total25494

The actual number of children away at these schools at one time in November,
1933, was Bushy Park, 257; Margate, 64; St. Leonard's, 58; Bournemouth, 30;
Broadstairs, 45; Dover, 2. Total, 456 children, of whom 199 were girls and 257 boys.
The head master of the King's Canadian residential open-air school has
submitted the following account of the physical activities:—
During the year 2,865 boys were admitted to the school, of whom 1,032 (36 per cent.) were
selected by the school doctor for special courses of remedial exercises. The cases treated were
of two types : (i) those having a tendency towards kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis and flat feet (these
were dealt with in suitable sections); and (ii) those needing strengthening exercises who were
given a progressive course of physical training.
In all a reasonable standard of improvement was noted, and many parents expressed
satisfaction at the result achieved. Illustrations depicting bad posture have been prepared by
one of the instructors for display in the "remedial room." During the year 52 more severe cases
of flat feet have been followed up by the completion of the re-inspection card.
The general improvement in physique of all the boys who have been in residence here is
evidenced by an average increase in weight among them of 3.2 lbs. coupled with an invariable
increase in height.
Dental treatment and the care of minor ailments have continued on the same scale as in
previous years.