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176
Annual Report of the London County Council, 1913
which from 60 to 80 children of school going age participated. The results obtained from these
observations are of value for purposes of comparison with the present excursion, and have been used
in this way.
Method of Examination.— At the preliminary inspection, in addition to the usual investigation,
special attention was paid to the condition of the heart, lungs, and general state of nutrition.
Weights and heights were taken in the ordinary manner, though as regards weight, fractions of a
kilogram were registered. In some cases the chest measurement was taken, and these proved very
useful ultimately. The condition of the feet and back was also noted. Special attention was paid
to fatigue, both mental and physical. The cardiac condition was investigated by percussion and
auscultation.
At Shanklin the routine examinations were confined to the boys, who were examined in the
evening after their return from an excursion, and in certain cases in the morning before they started
on their walk. Such routine examinations were directed chiefly to the state of the heart and
circulation, to investigating the amount of fatigue present, and to recording the state of the blood
pressure. Notes were taken during the actual walk as well, and particulars obtained with regard to
pulse rate, fatigue, and strain in certain cases. The children soon became interested in these routine
examinations, and the consequent absence of nervousness and excitement greatly added to the
value of the data obtained.
On the return to London a routine examination of all the available children was carried out.
For various reasons it was not possible to examine all the children. There are, however, particulars
with regard to 46 children. At the final examination the general condition of the child was
carefully investigated, special attention being again given to the condition of the heart. Weights and
heights were again registered, under conditions as closely approximating to those of the preliminary
examination as possible.
The Excursion Party.—The children who took part in the excursion were a group of 50
selected, somewhat arbitrarily, from various classes at Torriano-avenue school. The children attending
this school are, perhaps, relatively higher in the social scale than those in most ordinary elementary
schools; the fact that the total charge for the week's outing was approximately a guinea still further
limited the selection to children of comparatively well to do parents approaching the secondary
school type. In cleanliness and general appearance these selected children were distinctly above the
average, although from a medical point of view their condition was not so obviously superior.
Of the fifty children seen at the preliminary inspection four did not accompany the excursion
for various reasons. In one case the child had a bad dental abscess, which was pointed out to
the mother, who was told that unless the condition was cured it would be very unwise for the child
to go. As he did not improve under treatment he did not join the party. In several other cases
defects were found and pointed out at the inspection. In every case the parents were advised, and
treatment was obtained in many cases.
There remained a few cases in which, while the defects were not such as were amenable to
immediate treatment, it became a question whether it was advisable or not to allow the child to take
part in an excursion that involved a certain amount of physical effort and strain. After consultation
with the head master, and having regard to the fact that he would himself accompany the excursion,
Dr. Leipoldt concluded that it was justifiable to allow them to go. In no case did the selection of
such children prove detrimental to their general health, but in every case they appeared to have
derived some benefit from the excursion.
As finally constituted the party consisted of fifty children, four children not previously examined
having been substituted for the four who were unable to go. Of these substitutes three were
physically fit and quite capable of taking part in the excursions; the fourth, the youngest child in
party, was a boy from the Infant department, and not a suitable case for selection. He had been
allowed to accompany the party mainly because two of his brothers were members of it, and because
he had much wanted to come. Events showed, however, that the boy was manifestly too young, and
was consequently a drag on the rest. His physical condition was not good as he was suffering
from bronchitis, and he was not capable of looking after himself to the same extent as the other
juniors. The children varied in age, the maximum age being over 14 and the minimum, that of the
boy in the infant department, just over six.
In addition the party comprised eleven adults, the teaching staff being represented by the
head master, two assistant masters, and four assistant mistresses. For the excursions the children
were split up into small sections, each in charge of a master or mistress who was responsible for
supervision and discipline. One of the masters served alternately as House Master and superintended
the boys, while one of the mistresses acted as permanent House Mistress during the excursion, and
supervised the lodging arrangement of the girls.
The programme was drawn up with discretion, the journeys being graded. Undoubtedly too
much was crowded into the last day. The weather was unfavourable, and the excursion consisting
in a walk round the dockyards and the town of Portsmouth proved more tiring than was anticipated.
Sight seeing is always likely to be much more fatiguing than country walks, although the actual
distance traversed may be smaller in the former case, the walking upon the hard road and the periods
of standing being a greater strain upon the children than steady regular walking with short rests in
a sitting or lying position.
Clothing and equipment.—Every child was instructed to bring an extra suit or dress for
Sunday, extra stockings and underclothing, night attire, slippers or light shoes for evening wear;
brush, comb, toothbrush, soap and towel, and an overcoat. The use of the school jersey—
a dark navy blue woollen garment, warm and roomy, without being too loose—and of the
school cap for the boys, was compulsory. Many of the boys wore an ordinary coat over their
jerseys. In a few cases the children were overclothed, and in several cases the underwear was
unsuitable. The greatest benefit is obtained when the clothing permits of a certain amount of