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105
heads were reported from each batch. This will continue until it is found possible to
despatch the children in the afternoons, when a morning visit to the Cleansing Station
should dispose of the inevitable effects of dirty home conditions. We have refrained
from sending any cases with a marked rheumatic tendency to St. Leonards in
the winter and autumn months. Such cases do not improve at the seaside
in cold weather, but bronchitis and general debility cases always seem to
benefit."
"During the year, 3,130 boys visited the school. Of these, 1,338, or 42.7 percent.,
received remedial treatment during their stay. Improvement was noted
not only in the correction of the physical disability for which the boy was primarily
treated, but in an even more marked degree, an increase in weight and activity
ensued. The average increase in weight in the 25 days was 2.9 lbs., whilst the
increase in activity and general fitness, although not recordable in figures, was most
noticeable by comparing a new class with one in its fourth week. The cases treated
were of the same nature as in previous years, and again the system of giving individual
treatment to the more urgent cases and treating the remainder in small groups was
retained.
"Treated individually.—Kyphosis, 134; lordosis, 28; scoliosis, 51; deformed
thorax, 8; old poliomyelitis, 5; treatment after fracture, 2; round shoulders, 5;
massage, 4; total, 237.
"Treated in small groups.—Bad carriage, 83; flat chest, 456; poor breathing, 75;
general anaemia, 487 ; total, 1,101.
"Owing to the large number of cases of flat foot, country dancing and boxing
exercises have been introduced, but it is difficult to say at present how far this will
be successful in checking or correcting the complaint, owing to the short time we have
the bovs here."
Mr. Devonshire's
report
on Bushy
Camp School.
The Fairfield House residential open air school was opened at Broadstairs on
5th October by the "Save the Children Fund." It has accommodation for 50 girls,
and is organised on lines similar to the Council's Wanstead House school, Margate,
except that the children will stay for longer periods (probably about three months).
The first party for admission was selected by the school care committees, and the
necessary medical examinations were arranged through the Council's school medical
service. The Council has agreed to authorise the use of the school medical service
and school care committees in connection with the selection and examination of the
children for future admissions to Fairfield House, provided no additional expenditure
is thereby incurred to the Council.
Fail-field
House
residential
open-air
school.
The following extracts from letters quoted verbatim show how greatly the parents
appreciate the advantages gained by a stay at the residential open air school, even
when it is limited to four weeks' residence.
Catford.—"I am writing to see if you could grant Ronald another two weeks
at Bushy. I went to see him on Saturday last and found him looking so happy
and ever so much better in health he looked. I could hardly believe my own eyes
to see such a change. I was more than pleased. I don't know if I am asking too
much, but I was told that children do stay longer sometimes. I should be ever so
thankful if he could."
Hackney.—"On Saturday last my wife visited my son at the school, and was
very much surprised (and needless to say pleased) at the great alteration in his
health and appearance, for which we are very thankful, as he has always been a
very delicate boy. Please don't think we are greedy, as I know there are many
others waiting to go, but he asked his mother, and again in his letter this morning
if he can stay on a little longer? Is this possible? I should be ever so grateful
and willing to contribute a small amount towards his upkeep."
Lambeth.—"Just a few lines to let you know that my son, James, arrived home