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130
Stowey
House.
Much interest has been evinced in the experimental attempt to exploit the
healing powers of ultra-violet rays of natural sunlight at the Stowey House
Open-air School, and the following reports were made by the officers concerned:—
(a) Report by head master.—The experience gained during the years 1923 and
1924, when elder lads from the senior school were chosen to undergo treatment in
the sun class, encouraged me to attempt treatment in 1925 with boys chosen from
the junior school. The smallest and youngest lads were selected by the school
medical officer. The majority of these were suffering from the ill-effects of exposure
during air-raids in shelters and under railway arches. They were debilitated owing
to improper and irregular feeding and were generally of that poor anaemic type
for which the open-air school was instituted. They appeared languid and unheeding
—actually taking no interest in anything happening around. Somewhat indolent
and careless in any work they had to do. A mental test gave extremely bad results.
They were nervy and neurotic.
Early in May, 1925, after consultation with the parents of the children chosen,
the class started with 34 boys and continued until 30th October without a break.
The senior girls in their needlework lessons made 34 pairs of slips from orange
yellow casement cloth, and into these the boys changed each morning, wearing
socks and shoes. Miss Green, the class teacher, in her accompanying report gives
details of the procedure adopted. A mental test in October proved the children
to have become much more mentally alert as a result of the treatment. The school
medical officer's report will give the medical results, which are also highly satisfactory.
The vitality of the children increased amazingly, and from listless indolent lads
they became keenly observant, energetic, mischievous youths. On occasions it was
difficult to suppress them. All desired to talk at the same time, to tell of what work
they were doing, and all eager to go on with their sun treatment. Visitors who saw
the class during the summer expressed amazement at the condition of the children,
and were delighted with the keenness they put into their occupations, whether
manual or otherwise.
I am so satisfied with the results that I propose next year to make accommodation
at the outh end of the garden where the younger girls can undertake a course
of sun treatment.
It will be necessary to segregate this class, and during the winter months the
gardening classes are preparing this portion of the grounds by building a protective
bank and planting shrubs to form a solarium.
(b) Report by class teacher—General.—The sun class for junior boys started on
12th May and ended, as regards outdoor clothing, on 30th October. During the
first month the boys gradually exposed their limbs, chest and back, and by the fourth
week nothing was being worn but very short shorts, sun hats, socks and shoes.
Particular attention was paid to the reddening or browning of the skin, the boys
frequently changing their positions in order to obtain full benefit from sun and
air.
During above period on 47 days shorts were worn and boys were out all day
fully exposed. On 24 days partial clothing was worn, and children were out working
part of the day. For the remainder of the period, rain kept the children in the sheds,
but all clothes were loosened.
All boys were given perfect liberty to wear their shirts for a short period if ever
they felt cold, but this rarely happened.
Work.—The ordinary school time table was carried out, but taken in a more
practical manner than otherwise would have been done. Each child was provided
with its own chair and table which were easily carried from the sheds.
Special exercise books were made from pastel tinted paper by the boys to avoid
sun glare. Nature study and drawing received special attention, as the facilities
for these subjects were great.