London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1931

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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54
Similar arrangements to those for the boys' party were made, for a school nurse to visit and
for a local general practitioner to be called in if necessary, but, in fact, no visit by a general
practitioner was required.
One excellent feature differing from the boys' arrangements was the provision of hammock
chairs for the rest hour, the chairs being put out in the open air when weather permitted. Progress
in physical and mental condition was noted as the time went on.
There was no homesickness at any time and a cheerful and happy atmosphere prevailed;
the girls took a greater pride in themselves and in their personal appearance during their stay.
Here again the staff's efforts resulted in the complete success of the experiment.
General conclusions.—The success of this experiment was facilitated, in our opinion, by the
special knowledge and skill of teachers and by the fact that the children themselves were of
similar mental type. Probably if these children were sent to residential schools such as Bushy
and Margate, the same result would not be obtained, owing to their sense of inferiority when with
comrades of normal intelligence.
The medical records show that, without exception, the children benefited very
much physically by their stay, and letters of thanks from the parents endorse these
records. Reports from children's care committees and head teachers of the day
schools from which the children were selected affirm that they have been brighter
and more responsive since their return.

The following table gives the roll of the day open-air schools on 19th December 1931:—

Boys.Girls.Totals.
Aspen House8761148
Bow Road12570195
Brent Knoll8858146
Charlton Park8955144
Downham8165146
Holly Court164146310
Stowey House179101280
Upton House7855133
Wood Lane7571146
Totals9666821,648

In addition to the provision of treatment for tuberculous children in residential
institutions, the Council continued the use of the open-air schools, specifically for
suitable children notified under the tuberculosis regulations, 1930, as suffering
from tuberculosis of the lungs or glands.
The six schools—Elizabethan (Fulham), Geere House (Stepney), Kensal House
(Paddington), Springwell House (Battersea), Stormont House (Hackney), and
Nightingale House (Bermondsey) have, together, accommodation for 550 children.
The number on the roll on 31st December, 1931, was 570, and the average attendance
for the year ending 31st March, 1931, was 456.9.
Admission to these schools is granted on a certificate of the medical officer of
the Council, and children returning home after a period of residential treatment
in sanatoria are given preference. During the year 1931, 154 children were admitted
and 189 discharged. Of the latter, 29 were transferred as fit to attend elementary
schools, 68 were fit for work, 63 were transferred to residential institutions for
residential treatment for tuberculosis or admitted to hospitals for various reasons,
16 moved away, 7 were transferred to special schools, and 6 were discharged for
other reasons.
In 1925, vocational classes were opened at Springwell House and Stormont
House open air schools (T), with the object of training children in subjects likely
to be of use to them in obtaining employment.
Two classes are held at Springwell House, one for boys and girls in commercial
training, which includes shorthand, typing and general office routine, and the other
for girls in needlework. The vocational classes at Stormont House are in needlework
and gardening. Instruction in carpentry is also given at this school.
Open-air
schools for
tuberculous
children.