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enlarged glands and bronchitis, (3) enlarged glands and malnutrition, (4) enlarged
glands, this last being one of the best browners, although he made the smallest gain
in weight in the class, kg. 0.4. The remaining 29 improved, anaemias as usual disappearing
and in many cases enlarged glands diminishing in size. The average gain
in weight was kg. 1.8, maximum kg. 3.8, minimum kg. 0.4. The average gain in
height was cm. 2.3, maximum cm. 5, minimum cm. 1.
Comparing the three classes, it is to be noted that speaking generally the boys
biowned better than the girls. The greatest average gain in weight and height was
found, as was to be expected, in the senior boys' class, weight kg. 2, height cm. 3.
The classes of junior boys and girls of corresponding ages showed practically similar
results: boys' weight, kg. 1.8, height cm. 2.3, as compared with girls' weight kg. 1.7
height cm. 2.3. In the main, however, there is little difference in the three classes.
Apart from the physical results, in all classes the improvement in vivacity,
brightness and general alertness was most noticeable and seems to justify the
proposal that the whole school next summer should, if possible, be so organised as
to be able to enioy and derive benefit from the sun-treatment.
Tuberculosis
open-air
schools.
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, and to such children the
opportunity to remain under regular medical supervision and to still enjoy the advantages
of open-air life has proved to be of great value. At the same time attendance
at the open-air school has been found to be very beneficial to children, who though
tuberculous have not been considered to be in need of residential treatment.
The five schools—Camberwell, Elizabethan, Kensal House, Springwell House,
and Stormont House, have together accommodation for 365 children. The number
on the roll on 31st December, 1926, was 426, and the average attendance was 342.
During 1926 there were 153 children admitted and 154 discharged. Of the latter,
47 were fit for elementary schools, 66 were fit for work, 17 were transferred to institutions
for residential treatment for tuberculosis, and 16 were admitted to hospitals
for various reasons, 8 moved away, 1 was transferred to a special school, and 1 child
died.
At Springwell House School vocational classes were started in November, 1925,
with the object of providing training of a kind likely to be of service to the children
in obtaining employment. It is found that there is less objection on the part of the
parents to the children remaining at the school until the statutory leaving age of
16 years, on account of the practical value of the training. Two classes are in
operation, one for both sexes in commercial training which includes shorthand, typewriting
and general office routine, and a class for girls in millinery and lingerie work.
Up to the present 6 certificates in shorthand have been gained by the boys, and several
children have obtained situations mainly on account of the training given at the
school. The time that has elapsed since the inception of this vocational training
scheme is not long enough to form a definite opinion on its work, but there is
evidence that the training is of assistance in enabling the children to obtain
emolovment.
Camp
Schools.
It is anticipated that two additional open-air schools will be available in 1927,
one at Stepney Green accommodating 50 children, and the other at Fort Road,
Bermondsey, with accommodation for 125 children.
Camp schools provide residential accommodation for elementary school children
who require a country holiday on health grounds. They comprise:—
(1) The King's Canadian Camp School, at Bushy Park, for 300 boys, taking
over 3,000 boys annually.