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87
I am glad to say that, with very few exceptions, the children were personally
clean in regard to their bodies and clothing. The heads, which are always
a trial to the nurse, require very close supervision and treatment during the
first one or two weeks.
Several of the children suffered from enuresis, which was partially cured
during their stay. In my opinion a child with this complaint ought to be
rigorously excluded, but it is generally the fault of the parents not admitting
the fact when the children are examined in London.
We were very fortunate in having only one case of infectious disease, viz.,
mumps, which reflects great credit on the supervising authority.
As to the benefit to the children, one can only say it is remarkable. After
the first week the languid child becomes bright and alert and the improved
appearance is very noticeable. The average increase in weight at the end of
six weeks was 5¼ lb. a child.
I think there is no place in England better suited for this class of child
than Margate, and it is a great pity the accommodation is so limited. I am sure
the benefits to the children well renav the outlav."
Bushy.
The King's Canadian Camp School at Bushy Park continues to give very successful
results. From June, 1919, to December, 1924, 16,296 boys have passed through
it. During the 5½ years there have been only 50 cases of infectious disease amongst
this great number. This is a remarkable record considering that 70 new boys are
sent down each week, and it reflects great credit upon the arrangements made.
One small outbreak of diphtheria (included in the 50 cases referred to) took place
in November, 1924, but owing to prompt measures which are detailed elsewhere
the disease was quickly stamped out, although it gave rise to some anxiety, as the
first boy attacked unfortunately succumbed to the disease.
The improvement in health measured by the average gain in weight showed
much variation, according to the district in London from which the boys came.
Boys from better class districts as a rule make the smallest increase, e.g., 1.2 lb. in
those from Wandsworth and 1.6 in those from Greenwich ; on the other hand boys
from Stepney and Bethnal Green reach an average increase of weight of 4 lb. during
their month's stay, and one boy from Ocean-street was noted as gaining 13 lb. in
a month.
Open-air day
schools—
Shrewsbury
House.
The equipment for attending to special features in connection with health is
remarkably good. There is a half-time dental centre and a special point is made of
remedial exercise work. Individual exercises were given to 781 boys for special
defects, flat feet and mouth breathing, and many more were treated on the small
group system with excellent results. As a rule children with established otorrhœa
are not very suitable for camp school life, but during the year 62 boys were treated
for this condition by the nurses, while 6,392 treatments were given by the school
nurse for other minor ailments.
The Council's four open-air day schools at Stowey House, Shrewsbury House,
Birley House and Bow Road were carried on successfully throughout the year. A
number of sites have been viewed with the object of providing further schools,
and it is hoped shortly to establish an open air school at Aspen House on Brixton
Hill and one north of the Thames in the neighbourhood of Ken Wood. The head
master of the Shrewsbury House School, Shooters Hill, in his annual report points
out that although steps have been taken to improve the purely educational side
of the school's work these have not interfered with the physical improvement of
the children, and the report of Dr. Wiley, the school doctor, shows that the improvement
in health and physique of the children has been even more marked than in
previous years. The head master shows that on admission the average open-air
school child is very backward, frequently being three or four years behind calendar
age in school attainments, yet their rate of progress is such that they reach Standard