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71
Twenty children suffered from chronic constipation, six had diarrhoea:
while there was one case each of diarrhoea and vomiting, cyclic vomiting and of
coeliac disease. Six children were referred to hospital or were treated by the
district nurse for intestinal worms. There was one case of pruritis ani which
responded rapidly to treatment.
References to the Tavistock Clinic included three cases of night terrors; one
of bad temper; one of vomiting during school time; three of enuresis and two of
nail biting. There was one case of stuttering; and two were found to be
mentally defective Four children were referred to hospital for heart bruits and
three for endocrine disorders—two being hypopituitary cases and one of
undescended testicles. Fifteen cases of rickets were diagnosed, including six of
knock-knees and three of abnormally curved tibiae. One child with congenital
dislocation of the hip was referred to hospital.
Of eye disorders there were five cases of strabismus which were referred to
hospital for lenses; four children were treated at the Centre for blepharitis; five
for styes, and four for conjunctivitis. Thirteen cases of earache occurred— with
or without discharge—and were treated at the Minor Ailment Centre, if mild,
or referred to hospital if severe.
Anfeinia was suspected in eight children; and ten were referred for Sun
Ray Treatment with great benefit to those who kept up their attendances.
Foundling Hospital Day Nursery.
The establishment of a day nursery and play centre for children at Coram
Fields (Foundling Hospital Site) has been referred to in previous Annual Reports.
These activities were maintained during 1937.
The number of children from Holborn attending this day nursery is evidence
of the need of such facilities in its immediate neighbourhood, and the Council
decided again to make a contribution (£100) towards the cost incurred in connection
with Holborn children.
School Entrants.
During the year information was received from the London County Council
that 67 children living in Holborn had been entered as attending school for the
first time. Particulars of the children's pre-school physical history and their
records of attendance at an Infant Welfare Centre were forwarded to the head
teacher of the infants department of the school concerned. This information is
set out on a form supplied by the London County Council and is intended for the
use of the School Medical Officer when examining school entrants.
Notice of attendance at school has brought to our knowledge families hitherto
unknown to us, having recently entered the Borough. This knowledge has been
very useful in connection with Maternity and Child Welfare Work generally.