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54
There are often many difficulties in the way of providing adequate sleeping accommodation
for children. High rents must be paid for even few and small rooms and flats, and thus the
condition which is frequently most harmful to the child, namely, a crowded sleeping room,
is the most difficult to remedy. Children are not' infrequently found sleeping two or three in a
bed, because there is not enough floor space to allow of another bed being put up. A separate
bed is especially desirable for a rheumatic child, but if this can be secured only by placing
the bed in the living room, the child will go to bed too late and get up too early, and this
may be worse for him than sharing a crowded bedroom. Where the father must either live
near this work or run the risk of losing it, it is no solution of the difficulty to suggest that
the family shall remove to some other area. At the same time, it is occasionally
found that a child for whom ample and separate accommodation is provided is kept up until
the parents' bedtime because the parents do not understand the vital importance
to the child of sleep during the early hours of thie night.
Condition of the Nose and Throat.
In seven children the condition of the tonsils was stated to be normal.
Four children had their tonsils removed; and one of these also had adenoids removed.
In two cases tonsillectomy and removal of adenoids were advised as part of the
treatment for rheumatism.
Of the four children referred to above, in two cases the removal of the tonsils
coincided with the reported onset of rheumatism, in that the diagnosis of the rheumatic
condition was made in connection with the attendance of the children at hospital on account
of tonsilitis.
Teeth.
All children are reported to be under dental supervision, with treatment if required, as
part of the school organisation.
Contacts.
A history of pains in limbs was reported in the contacts of six cases.
The names of all the other contacts going to school were passed on by the London
County Council district organiser to the Divisional School Medical Officcr in order that they
might be observed and examined if necessary.
History of Patients after leaving school.
During 1936 six children, previously notified, ceased to attend school and are occupied
as follows : —
(1) Boy (A.S., æt. 15) is a casual worker.
('2) Girl (J. R., æt. 14) tailor's assistant.
(3) Girl (J. G., æt. 14) is a messenger.
(4) Girl (R. W., æt. 14) is a shop assistant.
(5) Girl (J. N., æt. 14) dressmakers' apprentice.
(6) Girl (B. M., æt. 14) is a cracker factory hand.
Two children reached the age of 16 during 1936, and still continue their previous
employment.
Holidays for Rheumatic Children.
An annual holiday in the country or by the sea is of benefit to all children;
it is even more necessary for children who are handicapped by rheumatism.
Co-operation with the school organisation was continued, and in nearly
every case a holiday was arranged for each child who was physically fit for a holiday
home, special arrangements being made for those attending schools for the
physically defective.