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

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Croydon 1908

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]

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99
For children in the baby class the-combination is best
replaced by a vest and drawers.
The knickerbockers should be of corduroy or stout serge,
and supported by braces, or by being buttoned to a bodice in
the case of infants. Suspenders should be used for the stockings.
A knitted vest is a useful addition in the winter time, when
an overcoat is also required.
While it is a mistake to endeavour to harden children by
exposing the limbs, too many"garments hinder the free rrovement
of the body and the proper use of the lungs. Overclothing
also leads to sweating during exercise, and consequent
risk of chills.
The boots should be of the natural shape of the foot,
straight on the inside edge, and allow plenty of room for the
toes.
GIRLS should be dressed in the same way as boys (suitable
knickerbockers included), but with the addition of a kilt
supported from the shoulders by a cotton bodice. If preferred
the jersey and kilt may be replaced by a long-sleeved yoke
frock reaching just below the knee, made of material suitable
for the season.
Patterns for making suitable garments for boys and girls
may be borrowed from the Health Visitors.
Public Health Department,
Town Hall.
These leaflets are distributed to the parents, and it is hoped
that in course of time the more prosperous and intelligent parents
will fall in with our suggestions. Once this is done the whole of the
school population will benefit as the poorer children are very frequently
clothed in the cast-off garments of the more fortunate.
DISEASES OF THE EYE.—These include external diseases noted
at the inspections. Errors in refraction and defects in vision are
separately tabulated by the ophthalmic surgeon.