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provision, and their ultimate fate is still in the vast majority of cases the
Infirmary, especially in the case of female patients. In spite of these
criticisms, I would like to say that on the whole sanatorium and hospital
treatment has for many proved a great boon.
Closely allied with the institutional treatment of tuberculosis is the work
carried out by the charitable societies, such as the Invalid Children's Aid
Association, Charity Organisation Society, Soldiers' and Sailors' Families'
Association, and the Jewish Board of Guardians, to all of which I should like
to offer my sincere thanks for much valued and kindly help. It would be
impossible for anyone to work for any length of time in the poorer districts
of London without appreciating to the full the wonderful work done by the
Invalid Children's Aid Association, in spite of the very regrettable fact that
their financial resources are so extremely slender. The local branch of the
association in Bethnal Green has given us the utmost assistance in dealing
with children of the so-called pre-tuberculous type, and often with those
definitely tuberculous but suffering from the disease in a localised and noninfectious
state. Through their efforts a considerable number of children
have been sent away to the sea or country, invariably with satisfactory results.
Another means which we have at our disposal for dealing with tubercular
children is the open-air school at Stormont House. This school, which is
situated on Hackney Downs, was opened in 1919, and admits both pulmonary
and non-pulmonary cases of tuberculosis of either sex, the ages ranging from
eight to sixteen years. The average number on the roll was 86, with an
average attendance of 74. With an occasional exception, all the children come
from the neighbouring boroughs of Hackney, Bethnal Green, and Stoke
Newington. The classes are held in the open air, special shelters being
provided for the purpose in the grounds. Although ample accommodation
during bad weather is available for the children in the permanent building,
it has rarely been found necessary to make use of this even in the winter. Hot
midday meals are provided at a nominal fee, and in the case of necessitous
children no charge is made. Records of the temperature, weight, etc., are
kept, and the Medical Officer visits the sthool every week and makes frequent
examinations, and directly supervises the exercise and rest of each child.
The results are very encouraging, as illustrated by the improvement in signs
and symptoms, the fall of temperature, increase in weight, and the happier
mental outlook of the children. During the year 13 children were discharged
as fit for work, while 12 had so improved as to permit of their transfer to an
ordinary elementary school.
It may also be mentioned that the system recently inaugurated for coordination
between the Tuberculosis Officers and School Medical Officers in the
supervision of children who are contacts or who are unsatisfactory from the
point of view of general health, but not definitely tubercular, is now in full