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Hospitals for Children under 5 years of age.
Arrangements are in force with St. Mary's Hospital,
E.13, and with the Invalid and Crippled Children's Hospital, E.13,
for the admission of infants and young children requiring inpatient
hospital treatment. The cases admitted to St. Mary's Hospital
vary in type, being both acute and chronic medical or surgical
cases. At the Invalid and Crippled Children's Hospital, a
Ward of 16 cots is set aside for the treatment of infants and young
children suffering mainly from disorders due to dietetic errors and
faulty hygiene. Such children are generally admitted direct from

Convalescent Homes for Children.
The Council has no convalescent home for children
under five years of age, but arrangements are made
through the Invalid Children's Aid Association and the Invalid and
Crippled Children's Society to send young children to various
suitable homes. During 1931 it has been possible to send away
ninety-seven children. These children are all examined before being
sent away, by the Senior Assistant Medical Officer for Maternity
and Child Welfare, who recommends the period of convalescence
necessary. This usually varies from four to eight weeks,
and in special cases an extension is granted when applied for by
the Medical Officer of the Home.
A very large percentage of the children are recommended by
the Medical Officers of the various Infant Welfare Centres in the
Borough, for such conditions as malnutrition, general or nervous
debility, rickets and chronic bronchitis. Others are referred for
convalescent treatment after acute illnesses such as pneumonia, and
the infectious illnesses: The results of a period of convalescence
under skilled supervision and in healthy surroundings are remarkable,
producing lasting and often permanent benefit in the health
of these young children.
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