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Open-air
schools for
non-tufcerculous
children.
53
The aim is to restore them to health and preserve them in health while giving
them necessary education, the chief result of their education being, however, a love
of open-air conditions, a hatred of confinement and a technique of life which will
stand them in good stead after their departure from school in preserving them from
the dangers which are undergone by those who do not appreciate the value or
importance of fresh air.
The almost immediate results of the entry of the debilitated child to an open-air
school are an increased rate of metabolism with improved appetite, an increased
rate of growth, improved circulation and respiratory capacity, relative freedom from
colds and catarrh, and consequent freedom from obstruction of the respiratory
passages, increased percentage of haemoglobin in the blood, improved carriage and
posture, the replacement of poor spirits by a feeling of the joy of life (partly
dependent upon the heightening of the blood pressure) and as a result of this an
improvement in alertness and in mental capacity.
The teachers of the open-air schools have made many reports and observations
of the greatest value.
Thus at Bow-road careful records kept over a period of five years all the year
round showed that lessons were taken entirely outside the shelters on 1,008 days,
partly in and partly out on 95 days, and inside the shelters only on 125 days; thus
the shelters are unnecessary for 85 per cent. of the time during which school is held.
At the beginning of the open-air work in London prejudice was too strong to
allow of the school being maintained open in the winter months, but experience
soon, not only dispelled the qualms which even the hardy might have felt, but
convinced even the timorous that this was quite feasible.
From Upton House records were compiled showing the attendances of children
at school for corresponding winter months before and after admission, which showed
that children who had been absent for long periods before admittance, made
attendances from 70 upwards after admission and in many cases indeed of 100 per
cent.
Provision.
Provision for education in the open air now includes nine day open-air schools
(non-tuberculosis) with accommodation for 1,460 children, and six day open-air
schools (tuberculosis) accommodating 618 children. There are also seven country
and seaside convalescent camp schools, accommodating 520 children for periods
varying from one to three months, through which 4,337 children pass annually;
and 224 open-air classes in playgrounds and parks providing for upwards of 6,000
children.

*Note—The roll of an open-air school may be 20 per cent. above the nominal accommodation.
In addition to the provision of treatment for tuberculous children in residential Open-air
institutions, the Council continued the use of the open-air schools (type T) specifically schools for
for children with quiescent tuberculosis and for those suspected to be suffering from chiidren°US
tuberculosis or living in conditions rendering them particularly liable to the disease.
The tuberculosis officers of the areas in which the schools are situated serve as medical
officers of the schools and pay weekly visits to them.
Open-air
schools for
tuberculous
children.
In addition to the provision of treatment for tuberculous children in residential
institutions, the Council continued the use of the open-air schools (type T) specifically
for children with quiescent tuberculosis and for those suspected to be suffering from
tuberculosis or living in conditions rendering them particularly liable to the disease.
The tuberculosis officers of the areas in which the schools are situated serve as medical
officers of the schools and pay weekly visits to them.