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57
them to leave home. The scholars are under the constant
supervision of one of the Dispensary nurses and
there is a weekly medical inspection by the Tuberculosis
Officer for the Borough. The main object of
the school is to secure that classes are held under open
air conditions, which approximate to some degree to
those obtaining in sanatorium life, and which are
obtained by the provision of two shelters in the playground
where the children work unless the weather is
too severe when they are accommodated in the class
rooms in the school building itself. There are in
addition special hours of rest and of exercise closely
supervised by the headmistress, who also controls the
diet, which is characterised by the fact that each child
has an allowance of milk during the morning and an
ample dinner of excellent quality in the middle of the
day. Under this regime the most satisfactory results
have been obtained, and during the past year the
scholars have, without exception, shown marked progress.
Another mode of treatment which has been used
more especially among children is that by ultra violet
rays (artificial sunlight). The Borough Council has now
an agreement with the Victoria Hospital for Children,
Tite Street, whereby cases from Fulham can receive a
course of treatment under a specialist in Light therapy.
The first patients were sent in August, 1927, and since
that date nine have been referred to the Hospital. It
is becoming generally recognised that one cannot expect
rapid or dramatic cures, and that it is only by a careful
consideration of results in many cases, and by a comparison
as far as possible with similar numbers treated
solely on general lines, that one can arrive at an accurate
estimate of the advantages reaped. Judged by these
standards, I think one can say at present that the
results have been sufficiently good to justify a continuance
of the scheme.
The London County Council's plan for boarding
out child contacts, of which details have been given
in past reports, is still in operation, but its scope has
not been extended greatly, and for various reasons