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150
It will be noted from Table E v. that it has been quite impossible
for Miss Appleton, with the limited time at her disposal for
this work, to overtake the whole of the cases of spinal deformity
requiring attention. I am hopeful, however, that in the year upon
which we have now entered to be able to arrange for a room at the
Treatment Centre, No. 228, London Road, Croydon, to be given up
for Miss Appleton's use on four afternoons per week. The Treatment
Centre being much nearer to the centre of the town, this
arrangement will enable children debarred by reason of their
distance from the present remedial classes in Whitehorse Road to
attend. Miss Appleton will also be able to give double the time to
this work in 1915.
Other deformities were noted in 78 instances. For most of
these children little could be done, but in several instances advice
was given as to the choice of apparatus, etc.
AFFECTIONS OF THE HEART.
Affections of the heart were noted in 306 children. The heart
has been examined as a routine practice in every case. Many
of the defects discovered were trivial and had little effect on the
health of the child. Some of these mild cases were associated with
anasmia or debility, others were the result of severe illnesses such
as pneumonia, or scarlet fever, or rheumatism. The more serious
cases were almost without exception rheumatic in origin. Appropriate
advice was given in each case, and the following leaflet on
rheumatism was made use of wherever it was deemed advisable.
It has been arranged with the attendance officers that parents may
use their discretion in keeping rheumatic children from school
when they have aches or pains if they are provided with one of
these warning notices, signed by the School Medical Officer.
COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON.
Control of Rheumatic Fever.
Rheumatic attacks in children are very easily overlooked as the
outward symptoms are usually quite trifling and likely to escape the
notice of parents. At the samp time these slight attacks may permanently
damage a child's heart and produce very serious results in later
life. Hence it is very important that treatment should be secured
immediately for rheumatism in its earliest stages and mildest forms.
Symptoms which suggest that a child is suffering from the rheumatic
poison :—
(1.) Growing pains—especially pain in the hamstrings.
(2.) Repeated sore throat or tonsilitis.
(3.) Attacks of irritability, night terrors, twitching of face or
fingers, or clumsiness in children not usually troubled in
these ways.
(4.) Certain Rashes.