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40
It is noticeable that there is a big increase in the number
of children included under the heading Nervous Tension. This
includes a variety of conditions : refusal to eat or sleep, refusal
of medicines, unruly behaviour at home, night terrors, etc.
There is no sign of physical abnormality but the condition is
a very concrete one to the mother and a real obstacle to the
child. Enuresis added to this group would make an even
bigger total of nervous manifestations due to defects in management
and would in fact form the biggest group of conditions
requiring treatment discovered in the clinic. Treatment
consists in good management of these children through the
re-education of both mother and child. It is interesting to
compare this group of children with the group of Worried
Mothers attending the Breast Feeding clinic whose milk
failed, as far as can be said, entirely owing to their mental
condition. This problem needs all the care and thought that
has been devoted to the physically unfit mother and child,
more particularly since they are apparently increasing in
number.
An attempt has been made to estimate the physical
condition of the children examined by comparing the average
weight and height with a known standard in the various age
groups. This can only be a rough estimate and the results
are as follows :—
Age Standard Average Standard Average
Weight Weight Height Height
2 years 28—29 lbs. 29 lbs. 1 oz. 2 ft. 7.9 in. 2 ft. 10 in.
3 „ 33—34 „ 31 „ 0 „ 2 „ 10-11 „ 3 „ 0 „
4 „ 37—38 „ 32 „ 10 „ 3 „ 1-3 „ 3 „ 1 „
It will be noted that up to the age of 2 years the average
weight is satisfactory, though the height is not, but the height
in the 3-year group is nearly up to standard. Weight in the 3
and 4 year old groups is below standard. It is interesting to
remember the reiteration of Sir George Newman on the
unsatisfactory state of health of the Pre-School child and the
figures may perhaps indicate the importance of continued care
for the toddler until school age is reached, not only by inspection
at such a clinic as this, but by educating the mothers who are
often nursing a younger baby at this stage, and by the increased
use of Day Nurseries and Nursery Schools.
Records :—
Children inspected 267
Requiring treatment 187
Sessions held 41
Average attendance 6.5