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136
those requiring them. The Tuberculosis Officer visits the school weekly,
making periodic examinations and supervises the rest and exercise of each
individual child. All the children are doing well, and the school maintains
its popularity, being always full. During the year 11 children were discharged
as fit for work, and 5 had so improved as to justify their transfer
to an elementary school.
For the benefit of those needing it and who in the ordinary course of
events would not be taken for a summer holiday by their parents, a "school
journey " to the seaside of a fortnight's duration was again undertaken this
year. Under this scheme the children, who are accompanied by their
teachers, have still to continue their lessons, but as these largely take the
form of nature study they spend practically all their time in the open air.
The children accordingly derive the maximum benefit from their stay at the
sea and the scheme is naturally popular with both children and their parents.
The problem of securing employment for patients on their discharge
from sanatorium grows more acute. Unless a man's original employment is
unsuitable and conditions are definitely unfavourable, it is found from
"experience that if a patient has improved sufficiently to enable him to work
again, it is advisable for him to return to his former employment rather
than seek to learn some new occupation in which he would have to compete
not only with fitter but necessarily more efficient men. This class of patient
gives little cause for anxiety, as usually he finds work under his former
employer. The position, however, of the man whose health has only been
partially restored and whose working capacity is limited, is a serious one.
In the present state of industry employers are reluctant to take on the unfit
when there are so many able-bodied seeking work. Isolated attempts have
been made to solve the problem, but they have been only partially successful.
Handicraft classes, while not attempting to enable patients to earn a
livelihood, at least save them from brooding over their condition, and give
them an interest to occupy their minds. As previously mentioned, the
Hackney and Stoke Newington Care Committee recently instituted a class
for the training of patients in artificial flower making and in leather, pewter,
basket, and bead work. The articles made are sold for the benefit of the
class with a percentage paid to the workers, or a patient may buy anything
at cost price plus a small percentage for class funds. Orders may be taken
by any patient, who may sell what he or she makes under these conditions.
The energy of the Handicraft Sub-committee and the zeal of the
Secretary have resulted, I am pleased to report, in placing the scheme on a
sound financial basis. Further support, however, would still be welcomed
to increase the scope of the work. The class is deservedly popular with
patients, and well attended, and the Committee are to be congratulated on
the success of their efforts.
Much was expected of vocational training in Colonies and Sanatoriums,
but it is found that few on returning home are able to find employment
in the occupation for which they trained. I think the experience of Glasgow
may be cited as being fairly typical—out of over 50 men trained during the
last 7 years, only two are employed in the occupation for which they were
trained. It is doubtful if the training in these Colonies, although of an
intensive character, is sufficiently prolonged to enable a man on his discharge
to compete in the open market with fit men of larger experience. In some
instances the necessary capital to set up "trainees" in businesses of their
own has been found, but few have made a success of it.
Vocational training would appear to be a waste of time and money
unless accompanied by some scheme for the provision of work for those
trained. The success of the Handicraft Class confirms mjy previously
expressed opinion that the solution of the problem of the out-of-work