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74
Open-air
classes.
There are two main groups of open-air classes Types A and B are composed
of delicate children selected by the school doctors from one or more schools, and
types C and D are an arrangement of ordinary classes working in the open throughout
the season or in turn with other classes of the school. 21 classes of type A or B
were held and 69 of type C or D. The Education Officer reports "the physical
improvement of the pupils is the primary object, and any educational set-back is
compensated for by the beneficial effect on future school work."
The average increase in the weight of the children varied from 1 to 2 kilogrammes.
At Cork-street Dr. Boome investigating by means of Yerdin's spirometer
the increase in the "vital capacity" of the pupils—that is, the difference in
the amount of air contained in the lungs between full inspiration and full expiration—found
that the increase during the period they were in the open-air was
marked in comparison with that of the boys undergoing the ordinary school regime.
An encouraging feature is the interest taken by the parents. In fact the proposal
to include the children in the open-air class in some cases originated with the parents;
this shows a wider appreciation than formerly existed of the benefits arising from
fresh air and an open-air life.
One of the Council's inspectors has called attention to the point that while the
effect of fresh open-air is being increasingly recognised the benefits arising from
bathing in sunlight are less fully known. It is hoped that something may be done
in the coming year to apply the sunlight cure on approved lines to a selected class in
one of the open-air schools.
School
journeys
No financial assistance was given by the Council to the school journey movement
in 1922. Nevertheless 107 school journeys were made. The average distance
travelled was about 65 miles from London. In view of the risks that may be incurred
by the inclusion of children unfit to take part, on account of physical defect
or contagious or infectious diseases, the endeavour was made to secure medical
examination of all the children immediately before departure. Dr. Reginald
Hanson utters a warning against allowing pupils who have suffered from discharging
ears to swim or dive. Dr. M'llrath reported in one case: "I thought you would
like to know that the improvement found in the boys at St. Saviour's who have just
returned from the school journey is simply wonderful. I could hardly believe that
a fortnight could make such a difference. The average gain in weight is 1.3 kilos."
Tuberculosis.
In addition to the provision for treatment of tuberculous children in residential
institutions, which is dealt with in Part I. of this report, the Council continued
the use of five open-air schools specifically for children notified under the Tuberculosis
Regulations, 1912, as suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs and of glands
with no open wounds. The children are admitted on the certificate of the medical
officer of the Council, and preference is given to those returning home after a period
of treatment in a sanatorium. The five schools—Camberwell, Elizabethan, Kensal
House, Springwell House, and Stormont House—have, together, accommodation for
365 children. In respect of the last three only for the year 1922 are full particulars
available, and these may be summed up as follows:—admitted, 101; discharged,
106; fit for elementary school, 28; fit for work, 52; transferred to hospital or
sanatorium, 19. The average gain in weight in kilograms was—Kensal House, 2.9;
Springwell House, 3.07 ; and Stormont House, 2.8.
The medical officer of Springwell House School reports that the general health
of the children at the school during the past year has been very good. There have
been very few cases of infectious disease. The cleanliness of the children has been
very satisfactory. With the exception of two-and-a-half days it has been possible
to conduct the school out of doors throughout the year. Since the opening of the
school in 1919, 63 scholars over 14 years of age have been discharged as fit for work,
and about 50 have been discharged as fit to return to an elementary school. It
appears that most of the children who have obtained work have taken up indoor
occupations.