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114
It would seem that asthmatics do not benefit to any great extent, and it was
found that any children with a tendency to rheumatic pains developed such pains
with any bad weather. Bronchitis cases, anaemias and the " town child " did
very well.
The question of attendance of children of rheumatic tendency at open-air
classes and their fitness for open-air life is one frequently raised. The more experienced
medical officers instinctively exclude such children. Dr. Lawson refers
to recurrence of pains from time to time in such children under open-air conditions.
References to rheumatic children in other reports bear this out:—
"Rheumatic cases show no improvement either in nutrition or of their
symptoms." Dr. Dorothy Mcintosh, Mantle Road (Girls) Open-Air Class.
"One boy has had a slight return of chronic rheumatism." Dr. E. Johnson,
the Latchmere (Boys) Open-Air Class.
"Five rheumatic children show improvement in their general condition,
but continue to have rheumatic pains at times." Dr. K. F. Butterfield, Athelney
Street (Girls) Open-Air Class.
"The child has developed tonsilitis (probably rheumatic) and I have
recommended her withdrawal." Dr. W. J. Morrish, the Furzedown (Girls)
Open-Air Class.
On the whole, London experience suggests the inadvisability of including
rheumatic children amongst other delicate children undergoing open-air treatment.
They do not improve in the remarkable way that children do who are tuberculous
in tendency or who are anaemic and debilitated without rheumatic symptoms.
Open-air
schools for
tuberculous
children.
In addition to the provision for treatment of tuberculous children in residential
institutions, the Council continued the use of the 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. After the summer
recess an additional school, Geere House, at Stepney Green, accommodating fifty
children was opened, making a total of six open-air schools. Arrangements were
also completed before the end of the year for the opening in January, 1928, of a
new school at Fort Road, Bermondsey, with accommodation for 125 children.
Admission to the schools is granted on a certificate of a medical officer of the
Council, and preference is given to children returning home after a period of treatment
in a sanatorium. To such children the opportunity of remaining under
regular medical supervision and of enjoying the advantages of open-air life has
proved of considerable value. Children who are not considered to be in need of
residential treatment, although tuberculous, have also derived benefit from their
attendance at these schools.
The six schools:—Grove Hill Road (Camberwell), Elizabethan (Fulham),
Geere House (Stepney), Kensal House (Paddington), Springwell House (Battersea),
Stormont House (Hackney), have together accommodation for 415 children. The
number on the roll on 31st December, 1927, was 464, and the average attendance
for the year ending 31st March, 1927, was 342.
Excluding Geere House Open-Air School, for which the figures are availabie
for one term only, 154 children were admitted to the five other schools during 1927,
whilst 163 were discharged. Of the latter, 26 were transferred as fit for elementary
schools, 66 were fit for work, 35 were transferred to institutions for residential treatment
for tuberculosis or admitted to hospitals for various reasons, 25 moved away,
6 were transferred to special schools and 5 were discharged for other reasons.
In 1925 vocational classes were started at Springwell House and Stormont
House Open-Air Schools with the object of providing training likely to be of service
to the children in obtaining employment. At Springwell House School two classes
are in operation, one for boys and girls in commercial training which includes shorthand
and typewriting and general office routine, and the other for girls in millinery
and lingerie. From the commencement of the classes in November, 1925, up to the