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Dr. B. J. O'Connor has submitted the following report upon the Rachel McMillan
nursery school:—
"I have had extended opportunities of observing the health of the children,
and I am pleased to report a marked improvement in their physical and mental
state. The pale, flabby, debilitated, often rickety child, so painfully noticeable
on admission, has been replaced, after a period of attendance in the school, by
a sturdy, happy, contented child; the dull and apathetic is no longer seen, and
a bright, responsive child has taken his place. The children, judiciously dieted,
are placed in most hygienic surroundings, their hours of sleep and education
being carefully regulated; exercises in the form of play and exposure to the
maximum amount of sunshine and fresh air are aimed at.
"Among the results following this treatment, I must especially mention
the remarkable reduction in the prevalence of catarrhal conditions of the
respiratory tract and their injurious sequelse, proving, without doubt, that
during the child's attendance in the school he has not only acquired increased
resistance to disease, but very marked recuperative powers. In this connection
it is interesting to read the remarks of the Chief Medical Officer to the Board of
Education (Sir George Newman) in his Annual Report for the year 1925.
'At the Deptford McMillan nursery school an analysis of approximately
50 cases shows the beneficial effect of school life under open air conditions
on the London slum child. Breathing exercises, massage and sunlight
treatment are given in necessary cases, and the nasal catarrh prevalent
among many of the children on admission clears up rapidly under good
hygienic surroundings.'
"The following figures show the comparative freedom from infectious disease
in the school, further proof of the resistance conferred on the children by the
healthy conditions under which they live. During the year 1926, out of a total
number of 252:—
The number of cases of scarlet fever was 6, or 2.38 per cent.
,, „ diphtheria „ 4, „ 1.58
,, ,, measles „ 2, „ .79 „
„ „ „ chicken pox „ 15, „ 5.95 „
„ mumps „ 12, „ 4.79
"There have been no cases of scabies and only one case of ringworm; cases
of impetigo, a fairly common skin affection among school children, were few,
and cleared up promptly under appropriate treatment. These excellent results
would not have been obtained without the co-operation of the principal, Miss
Stevenson, and the staff of the nursery school, whose promptitude in reporting,
and diligence in detecting suspicious symptoms have been most fruitful in
preventing the spread of infectious disease.
"Numerous defects have received treatment, including squint, enlarged
tonsils and adenoids, carious teeth, middle ear disease, rickets, malnutrition,
skin affections, etc.
The average attendance at the school during the year 1926 has been:—
Council section 104 out of total 112, or 92 6 per cent.
Voluntary „ 126 „ „ 140, „ 90 „
Total 230 „ „ 252, „ 91
For the last three months of 1926 (October-December) the attendance has
been:—
Council section 99 out of total 112, or 89 per cent.
Voluntary „ 129 „ „ 140 „ 92 „
Total 228 „ „ 252, „ 90
"I am of the opinion that the nursery school is conducted on sound health
principles, that it forms the foundation of permanent good health and that it
fulfils with conspicuous success the purposes for which it was established."