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(b) Invalid Children's Aid Association.—Chairman : Lady Edward
Gleichen. Hon. Secretary: Miss Aileen Woodroffe.
The Chelsea branch of the Invalid Children's Aid Association is located
at 2, Glebe Place, King's Road, S.W.3. The Association provides, for
children referred to it, treatment in Hospitals, Sanatoria and Nursing
Homes, according to need; convalescence in the country or at the
seaside; orthopcedic appliances and surgical boots ; massage, remedial
exercises, surgical dressings and medical comforts ; help in training
for suitable work; additional clothing, etc.
Two members of the Public Health Committee of the Borough
Council and the Medical Officer of Health are members of the local
Committee of the Association.
The Borough Council made a financial grant of £100 to the Association
for the year commencing 1st April, 1938.
During the year the branch had 210 children under school age referred
to them for assistance.
These children were suffering from marasmus and malnutrition,
congenital deformities, rickets, anaemia, debility and enlarged glands
following acute illness such as bronchitis, pneumonia, measles, diphtheria
and scarlet fever.
Sixty children were sent out of London for convalescence, for periods
varying from one to three months. Eight children had sanatorium
treatment arranged. Children were given medical aids as ordered by a
doctor, such as vitoleum cream, phosphates, malt and cod liver oil, etc.,
which their parents, owing to unemployment, were unable to provide.
Twenty-five children requiring surgical appliances, such as surgical
boots, calliper splints, umbilical belts, etc., were provided with what
was necessary. Several children were given warm clothing, boots, etc.,
and fares for children and escorts were paid whenever necessary.
Thirteen children were treated at the I.C.A.A. Orthopaedic Clinic
and two children were placed under the L.C.C. contact scheme, as
contact cases of tuberculous parents, in carefully chosen homes or with
foster mothers.
All children were specially visited after convalescence and friendly
supervision and advice was given. Perambulators and push-carts were
loaned to enable children to be taken regularly to hospital.