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163
Report of the County Medical Officer—Education.

It will be seen that increased drill has been sufficient to place the defective children ahead of
the average child in respect of chest development, and it may be said that this class more than
justifies its existence. Its success is undoubtedly due to the keen interest shown in its formation by
the head-master, and the intelligent co-operation and energy exhibited by its instructor.
Frankham Street, Deptford (J.M.)—(Dr. Kidner).—The children were selected from a number presented
by the head teacher of the junior mixed department as apparently requiring additional attention
to physical culture beyond ordinary drill. This school draws its pupils from an extremely poor neighbourhood
where gross overcrowding exists, and speaking generally the children are pale, ill-nourished, badly
clothed and dirty. The age of those selected was from 8 to 9 so the number available was comparatively
small and few cases presented any marked deformity. Both boys and girls were included. Average
number present, twenty.
Originally the class was held on the roof playground but afterwards the school hall was used in
order that games with piano accompaniment could be included. The large amount of dust raised during
the games counterbalances the advantage of the piano, rendering it advisable in the future to delete the
music. Exercises were performed daily in the early morning (9.40 to 10.0). About half the time was
devoted to games.
Tables of exercises were drawn up by the head teacher in consultation with the inspector of physical
exercises. These included marching, arm and leg movements, head and trunk bendings and
turnings and simple balance exercises. The "arch" and "abdominals" received, on account of the
age of the children, less attention. Considering the nature of defect (kypho-lordosis) for which most
cases were included this is unfortunate. There appears to be no reason why carefully graduated abdominal
exercises should not be performed by the youngest children even when no apparatus is available.
The "jump" was represented by games involving running and dodging. Breathing exercises were,
naturally, included. The suggestion was made that these should be performed more often, after each
movement, and that greater attention should be paid to abdominal breathing. The common errors in
such exercises as neck bending, trunk turning and twisting and in the wing and neck rest positions were
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