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the remainder, 16,027 were found verminous after a still further examination, and
were taken compulsorily by the nurses for cleansing. Among the latter, 592 were
subsequently found to have relapsed, and police-court proceedings were instituted
in 413 of these cases. A brief description of the operation of this scheme and the
methods adopted for cleansing at the various centres was given in the last annual
report. Two motor vehicles are available for conveying children to the centres
from outlying schools. The number of children thus conveyed in 1926 was 9,637,
as compared with 7,865 in 1925.
As in previous years, the borough medical officers were informed concerning
children dealt with under the Council's cleansing scheme, in order that the home
conditions might be remedied under the General Powers Act, 1922. During 1926,
reports were received in regard to 5,514 homes visited; out of this number disinfection
or destruction of bedding or disinfestation of homes were carried out in
1,117 instances. In the remaining 4,397 instances, although disinfestation or
destruction of bedding was not needed, in many cases advice was given to the parent?
by the health visitors. In 1925 the corresponding figures were 1,949 homes visited,
action taken in 785 cases.
In certain boroughs, parties of children are taken during school hours, under
the charge of school nurses for warm baths at the public bathing establishments.
In 1926 the numbers of baths thus given were: Camberwell, 2,727; Kensington,
7,811; Lambeth, 4,906; Shoreditch, 6,023; Stepney, 7,283; St. Pancras, 2,749;
total, 31,499. This scheme is very popular with children and teachers and constant
are the demands to increase the quota of children. The following is taken from a
letter by a head master of a school in St. Pancras:—
Use of public
washing
facilities by
school
children.
"I wish to make application for further baths for the children attending
this school. The number allocated is totally inadequate
Under present conditions two vacancies have to be balloted for, and so keen
is the desire on the part of the boys that it has now to be considered a privilege
to go to the baths."
Open Air Education.
The provision for open air education for London includes at present:—
Five day open air schools for non-tuberculous children; accommodation
1,070.
Five day open air schools for tuberculous children, accommodation 365.
Five country camp schools, accommodating 484 children for short periods,
providing for about 4,700 children annually.
137 open air classes in connection with ordinary open air schools providing
for 5,480 children.
Here also must be mentioned the Rachel McMillan camp school for children
aged 2.5, special notice of which will be found under the heading "Nursery Schools."
The five established open air schools for non-tuberculous children at Aspen
House (Brixton), Birley House (Forest Hill), Bow Road (Poplar), Shooter's Hill
(Woolwich), and Stowey House (Clapham Common) have continued open throughout
the year with the exception of the normal school holidays. Very good results
continue to be obtained. The 1925-28 programme provided for three new day open
air schools, one in each year of the triennium, with accommodation in each for 130
children. Sites have been visited and earmarked for these schools, and preliminary
plans have been drawn up. Preparations for the opening of Holly House (Hampstead)
as an open air school are well advanced, and this school will be opened in
1927, to the great advantage of a large district in North London which has hitherto
been without this much needed provision.
Day openair
schools.
On the completion of the programme for the triennium there will be 8 open air
schools for non-tuberculous children providing accommodation for 1,330 children.
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