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15
INVALID CHILDREN'S AID ASSOCIATION,
BETHNAL GREEN BRANCH.
The Bethnal Green Branch of the Invalid
Children's Aid Association, which has offices at 36,
Barnet Grove, has furnished the following report of
its activities :—
During 1938, this Branch of our Association has been
brought into touch with 293 more invalid or crippled children
of the district. in addition to 108 applications for help for
children already known to us.
The children are referred to us, in the first place, by
doctors and Hospitals and also by the School Care Committees
in Bethnal Green. Sometimes, we are notaskedto do
more than keep in touch with the child, to visit regularly and
ensure attendance at Hospital; but frequently we are called
upon to arrange periods of convalescence or to supply
surgical instruments.
Our figures for 1938 are found to be somewhat higher
than previously. 155 children have been sent away for convalescence,
averaging over six weeks' stay. We supplied
surgical insturments for 35 more, and others were helped
with clothes and other necessaries. A very large part of our
work consists of regular visiting and supervision on behalf
of the L.C.C. After Care Clinics and Hospitals.
Among the new cases referred to us this year, 37 were
crippled,. 37 were suffering from rheumatism and heart
trouble, 35 from pneumonia and bronchitis or other chest
troubles, 7 from infected or enlarged glands, and 21 were
suffering from serious malnutrition.
A large number of the children (62) were diagnosed as
anaemic or debilitated ; the increase in this number coincidcd
with a period of slackness in trade, many of the parents
being unemployed or on " short time," and the prevalence
of " general debility " and unspecified illness can only be
regarded as the result of persistent poverty.
We have been grateful to the Public Health Department
of the Borough Council for their help with the cost
of convalescence for children under school age, and towards
the provision of instruments for such children. We appreciate,
too, their efforts to rehouse some of the most overcrowded
families, which has become an urgent need.