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A number of young children have been brought for advice on
account of indefinite pains in the limbs or back. Several of these
children have been found to be suffering from established heart
disease already, whereas some have been found to be suffering
from some postural defect, such as flat feet or curved spine, which
has caused the pain. Several children, who have been found to
have a septic focus in the nose or throat, have been referred to the
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist at St. Olave's Hospital, where the
necessary treatment has been carried out under ideal surgical
conditions. No ill-effects have been produced by such operations.
During the year 62 children have been seen for the first time,
and 207 re-examinations have been carried out.
It must be remembered that the special function of such a
clinic is essentially one of supervision and not of treatment.
The London County Council School Medical Service does not
provide for the child once he has passed the age of fourteen years,
or sixteen years in the case of those who have attended a physically
defective school. The parents of these children, resident in the
borough, have been visited by a Health Visitor, and advised to
continue supervision; many of them have done so, and have
repeated their visits. In order to make this service more useful
to the adolescent, who has frequently started work, an evening
clinic is held once a month. The boys and girls come to it alone,
frequently on their way home from work. The attendance at this
session makes it desirable that it should continue.
Not only have children and adolescents been seen at the
clinics, but also mothers and grandmothers. In the majority of
such cases the rheumatism has been the type which attacks the
joints and which is aggravated by hard manual work, or generalised
backache which is due to rheumatism attacking the ligaments
of the spine. In all cases lack of sufficient rest and persistent
cares have added to the disability. Many of the cases have been
referred to the Solarium, where they have found early temporary,
and sometimes permanent relief.
Each case is carefully searched for a septic focus, and if such
a one is found the patient is advised to seek immediate treatment.
An introductory letter is always provided.