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West-End
hospital for
nervous
diseases.
The work of the child guidance unit of the West End hospital for nervous diseases
is under the direction of Dr. Emmanuel Miller, and the methods adopted are closely
allied to those of the London child guidance clinic, Canonbury, and the East London
clinic, Whitechapel. Such neurotic and behaviour disorders as are not treated by
social re-adjustment are observed in the playroom, where trained observers keep
detailed notes of each child's behaviour. These records are of great assistance to
the psychiatrists in diagnosis. In addition, the release of nervous tension and the
increase in social adaptability which the playroom affords can be regarded as an
actual therapeutic measure in this work. Special individual tuition is given in cases
where educational disabilities are found to give rise to anxiety states. During the
year 108 new cases were registered, 73 cases were carried over from the preceding
year, and 6 cases which had previously been closed were re-opened during the year,
making a total of 187. Of the 108 new cases, 72 were boys and 36 girls. The age
distribution was: from 4 to 8 years, 40 ; 9 to 11 years, 37 ; 12 to 14 years, 29 ;
over 14 years, 2.