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Report of the County Medical Officer—Education
143
The premises are situated in the densely populated area adjacent to Blackfriars-road, and are
easily accessible. The waiting room, is a pleasant one, and it opens on to the street. The consulting
room is reached by a winding staircase, and the recovery room is opposite to it. The centre is open
five afternoons a week and there is a "gas" day once a fortnight. There are two dentists, one of
whom acts as inspecting dentist in the schools.
The number of older children attending is small, and, as far as possible, each case is completed
at the first visit. Two nurses are present on extraction days, one assists in the consulting room and
the other has charge of the recovery room. Operations begin at 2.30 p.m., and the children are
generally kept until 5 or 6 p.m. There has been no difficulty in keeping this centre fully supplied,
but a large number of appointments in excess of those required have to be made. In connection
with the work of this centre a member of the school medical staff has in some instances visited schools
and interviewed parents of untreated children with good results.
At the end of 1913 apparatus was installed for the X-ray treatment of ringworm, and
arrangements were made for the treatment of 176 cases a year. Ear, nose, and throat cases have
been treated since October, 1912, to the number of 440 a year; provision is, moreover, made for
2,640 dental cases.
(24) St. George's Mission, 53, Ethelred Street, Lambeth.—This centre was opened in November, 1912,
for the treatment of minor ailments by a voluntary committee under the direction of Mrs. Anstruther.
Arrangements have been made for the treatment of 660 new cases per annum. Owing to the
proximity of the centre to St. Thomas' Hospital, the attendance at first was not good, but since it has
become better known there has been considerable improvement in this respect. The "following-up"
work at this centre is being especially well done.
(25) St. Marylebone General Dispensary, 30, Marylebone-lane, Welbeck-street, W.—This centre,
established by the committee of the St. Marylebone General Dispensary, was opened for the dental
treatment of Council cases in October, 1912. The premises are situated at the corner of Welbeckstreet
and Marylebone-lane, and are very convenient of access for a large number of non-provided
schools in Marylebone. The rooms used in connection with the treatment of the children consist
of a corridor which is used as a waiting-room, a small treatment room and a recovery room.
The present arrangements provide for the attendance on three sessions a week of 1,100 cases a year.
Although the accommodation is somewhat limited the treatment is being carried out in a very
satisfactory manner, and the attendance is good.
(26) St. Mary's Ringworm School, Eltham.—This school is organised by the Southwark
Catholic Rescue Society in connection with their work. The present arrangement with the society
includes the treatment by X-rays of 66 cases a year, for which a payment of £1 1s. a case is paid
by the Council. The school is situated in High-street, Eltham, close to the tram route from Woolwich
and omnibus routes to Lewisham and Lee; a very convenient centre for this isolated district.
Quite recently there has been some little difficulty in supplying the necessary cases, but the treatment,
the average duration of which is about four weeks, has been very satisfactory.
(27) St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington.—Arrangements have been made at this hospital for the
treatment of 500 eye cases, 500 ear, nose and throat cases and 176 ringworm cases a year. The
children are received in the ordinary out-patients' department, but are registered in separate books.
Special benches are provided for them in the waiting room, and they are dealt with by the surgeons
apart from the other patients. Urgent cases are seen at any time.
In the aural department the surgeons insist on the attendance of parents, and a form of consent
is thus not required. After operation the children lie on mattresses in the recovery room and are
covered with blankets. They are seen by the surgeon before being allowed to leave, usually after
the lapse of about two and a half hours, but longer if necessary. All children operated upon are
visited by district nurses, but syringing of the ears at home is not undertaken unless it is found
that the parents are unable to do it. Generally the arrangements are very satisfactory and the
attendance is exceptionally good.
(28) St. Pancras treatment centre, 26, Prince of Wales Road, N. W.—This centre was opened on
18th November, 1912, and the present arrangements include the treatment of 880 eye cases, 880 ear,
nose and throat cases, 660 minor ailment cases, and 1,540 dental cases a year. The house is semidetached,
with a small garden front and back, and is conveniently situated as regards tramway and
omnibus routes. A room on the ground floor is used as a waiting room, but in fine weather the children
are allowed to stay in the garden. The "minor ailments" nurse is provided by the St. Pancras
District Nursing Association. For some little time after the opening of the centre the attendance
was not satisfactory, but as a result of a conference between members of the local association and
the centre authorities certain alterations in the method of referring cases for treatment were
introduced and the attendance has since improved.
(29) Shoreditch nursing treatment centre, 80, Nichols-square, Hackney-road.—This centre
has been quite recently established in a thickly populated area where a number of large elementary
schools are within very easy access. The centre serves a large portion of South-West Bethnalgreen,
as well as a considerable area in Shoreditch. Provision has been made for the treatment
of 660 new minor ailment cases per annum. The premises consist of two extremely convenient,
though small, rooms within the residence of the nursing staff at 80, Nichols-square. Very successful
work is being carried out at this centre.
(30) South London nursing treatment centre, 56, Wickersley-road, Battersea.—Nursing treatment
was given at this centre, which was organised by the South London Nursing Association. The arrangements
were put into operation on 14th December, 1912. The premises consisted of a small house
near Clapham-junction. The doctor, instead of attending for two-and-a-half hours on one session a
week, attends for a shorter time on each of two sessions, and this plan has been found of great
advantage in facilitating the discharge of cases. Recently the committee of the centre have taken