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162
Annual Report of the London County Council, 1913.
(2) Standing with arms to side, bending both forearms up, so that the fingers slightly bent
touch outer part of the shoulders, extending out both arms, then into bent position, then to side.
(3) Body bending back resting against post, arms loose, feet few inches from post, bending
forwards and downwards,and raising, so that each vertebra in turn from below upwards touches door post.
The average weight on 13th April was 29 kilograms; on 13th December, 31.6 kilograms.
Average height on 13th April was 134.7 centimetres; on 13th December, 138.4 centimetres. Average
chest (inspiration) on 13th April was 69.06 centimetres; on 13th December, 69.4 centimetres.
All round there is a distinct improvement. The lateral scoliosis cases still show the angle of the
right scapula lower than the left at rest, but they hold themselves distinctly better. In the three actual
cases a ⅜" block made the Kellett Smith level true, in April a block was required. Additional exercises
of course could be used for the scoliosis cases especially with the ribstool and plinth,as well as the creeping
movements advocated by Kellett Smith, but for these a special training in the teacher would be required
and of course more frequent medical supervision. Some teachers in the schools are quite prepared to
undertake such work, and judging from the results obtained at a small class supervised at the Invalid
Children's Aid Association the result would be most satisfactory.
Winchester Street, Finsbury, C. (B.)—(Dr. BeUingham Smith).—The class was composed of 23
boys selected for various conditions of ill-health.
Spinal Curvature.—12 cases, of these 1 had a double curve with rotation of vertebrae, the
deformity being not entirely reducible, 7 had double curve, all reducible, 2 had single lateral curvature,
2 had marked kyphosis and round shoulders.
Deformities of chest.—2 cases, (a) Rickets, (b) Post adenoid.
Mal-development.—9 cases, the result of prolonged mal-nutrition, defective home surroundings
old rickets, etc., and in most of them the mal-development was both physical and mental.
The class was formed on the 9th July, 1913, and all preliminary measurements, etc., were completed
on the 26th July, 1913. Since that date all defects as regards adenoids, vision, etc., have been
corrected and where necessary the children have been fed or given extra milk. The class drilled daily in
the playground for 20 minutes. No special drill was utilised for special cases, but a uniform series of
exercises was employed. The regularity of attendance, the interest taken in their drill, the mental
progress in school, and the increase in height, weight and chest measurement have been recorded every
month in the case of each child. The figures for these different headings are given below.
The results were as follows:—Spinal curvature cases (12)—8 cases absolutely straight, 4 very
much improved; in case of double lateral curvature and rotation, the rotation has disappeared and
curvature is less and easily reducible. Both the chest cases were very much improved. There was
also great improvement in general physique and appearance of the children suffering from mal-development
except in two cases where the feeding and home surroundings were bad and the mental calibre of
a low order.
Attendance—14 regular, 7 irregular, 2 very irregular, due to illness.
Interest taken—10 very good, 10 good, 3 fair.
Mental progress—10 good, 10 fair, 2 none, 1 case away ill.
Home surroundings—6 good, 13 fair, 4 poor.
In 11 cases extra nourishment was provided—3 had dinners and milk ; 5 had dinners only ;
3 had milk only.