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The Holborn children attend Rheumatism Supervisory Clinics at the Hospital
for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, and at the Royal Free Hospital.
Enquiries in Notified Cases of Rheumatism.
Enquiries into the housing conditions of the notified cases showed that 2 lived in
satisfactory self-contained flats; 3 lived in a satisfactory home, a divided house of a com
fortable type (a house let in lodgings); 5 lived in houses let in lodgings.
No signs of dampness were found in any of the houses and the lighting and ventilation
were not unsatisfactory.
Overcrowding.
There was no overcrowding within the meaning of the Housing Act, 1936.
Sleeping Arrangements.
Four children had separate beds, in rooms shared with a child or children. In six cases
a child shared a bed, in a room occupied by one or more others.
Social Conditions.
In four homes the circumstances were such that there was a constant struggle against
poverty.
Value of Notification of Rheumatism in Children.
The periodic visiting which follows upon notification enables the health visitor to bring
home to the parents the need of special care for the child and of giving consideration to
his future welfare. Without such visiting, the poor health of the child might be accepted
as inevitable and no special effort made to secure for him the best conditions within the
reach of the parents.
Contacts.
The names of all contacts going to school were passed on by the London County Council
district organiser to the Divisional School Medical Officer in order that they might be
observed and examined if necessary.
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.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever.
Enteric Fever.
No notifications were received of Holborn residents suffering from enteric
fever.