View report page

53
year. The total number treated during the year 1924 was, therefore, 1,622 as
compared with 1,404 in 1923. In addition, 297 children had the advantage of
convalescence through the Invalid Children's Aid Association with the financial
assistance of the Council.
The scheme of co-operation between the Council and the Association, under
which, in return for a grant, the Association provides convalescent treatment for
children, and also assists in the provision of clothing, outfits and surgical appliances
for children who had received treatment under the tuberculosis scheme, was continued
during 1924. The sum paid to the Association during 1924 was £2,000.
During 1924 the Association received 409 applications for assistance, and 297
children were sent away with the assistance of the Council's grant. 26 applications
were for boots and clothing, and 18 cases were found to be ineligible. 68 children
were supplied with surgical instruments with the help of the Council's grant-in-aid.
In addition to these, 36 children were sent away without help from the Council's
grant-in-aid, as the parents were able to pay the full cost of treatment.
Since 1920 the Council has arranged with the Association for the children
attending the Council's schools for tuberculous children to go away to the seaside
for a fortnight's holiday during the summer. In 1924, children to the number of
245 were sent to a convalescent home at St. Leonards-on-Sea, the Council making a
grant of £526 towards the cost.
In addition to the provision for treatment of tuberculous children in residential
institutions, 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 or 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 treatment in a sanatorium.
The five schools—Camberwell, Elizabethan, Kensal House, Springwell House, and
Stormont House—have, together, accommodation for 365 children.
During 1924 there were 147 children admitted to the schools and 146 discharged.
Of the latter, 40 were fit for elementary school, 68 were fit for work, 26 were transferred
to hospital or sanatorium, 9 moved away, and 3 were discharged for other
reasons.
At Kensal House the average gain in weight of the children was 3.117 kilograms,
which was the highest ever recorded for the school. At the Elizabethan the
average gain in weight was 3.6 kilograms, at Camberwell 3.8 kilograms and at
the two remaining schools the average gain was 2.77 kilos.
Only one child was reported to have lost weight (0.4 kilograms).
The following observations are quoted from the report made by the medical
officer of the Elizabethan School:—
"The Open-Air School is without doubt justifying its existence and the
results of treatment have been excellent.
"Unfortunately the weather during 1924 has been frequently cold, wet
and windy, and it has been impossible to conduct the classes in the open air
on a number of days. The School rooms, however, are fortunately large and
airy, with plenty of light and are very suitable for open-air treatment.
"An endeavour has been made to obtain the co-operation of the parents
in carrying out the treatment in order to point out defects which they were
not aware of in their children, such as defects of breathing, phonation, articulation,
or deformities such as scoliosis. Parents have also been encouraged
to call at the School or Dispensary in order to point out any disability which
might not be ascertained by examination. The success of the school depends
very much on the individual attention to each of the children, although general
hygienic measures are also of the greatest importance.
"A considerable number have been treated at the School Clinic, Bagley'slane,
by the school dentist and the teeth of all the children are in excellent