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There have been, comparatively speaking, few absences due to infectious disease. In that
respect the daily attendance of a nurse is very helpful, as doubtful cases are immediately sent
away for treatment before the infection has had a chance to spread, this chance also being
minimised by the open-air life of the children.
It would be interesting, a few years hence, to watch for the incidence of neurotic manifestations,
delinquency and mental defectiveness in these children. I feel that the two or three
years spent by the child at the nursery, under intelligent guidance and satisfactory physical
conditions should prove of great value in the mental health of the child.
In regard to the Old Church-road nursery school, Stepney, the following report
has been submitted by the school doctor (Dr. Cotter):—
Previous to the opening of the nursery school, Stepney, the provision of a suitable place
for the "toddlers" attending the welfare centres in the neighbourhood was a trying problem
for the medical officers and health visitors of the centres. The nursery school has been a most
valuable remedy, for here the child from the overcrowded, poor home has the space, fresh air
and sunshine, sleep, good food and companionship so essential for his proper development.
The children admitted to the school in August, 1930, show a distinct improvement, both
physically and mentally.
The medical examination has revealed:—
(1) frequent unsuitability of clothing ;
(2) faulty nutrition leading to anæmia and rickets, enlarged tonsils and adenoids,
dental caries and numerous other defects. (These defects were in much higher
proportion amongst the older children.)
(3) psychological difficulties, mainly due to cramped home conditions, and in a few
cases the problem of dealing with the solitary child. (The progress of these
children in the nursery school has been remarkable.)
The nourishment provided and the general arrangements for the care and supervision of the
children have been very satisfactory and beneficial.
The equipment for play and occupation is excellent. The "jungle gym," swing and slide with
steps, and the run-about toys provide splendid exercise and the healthy delight in pushing and
pulling that is characteristic of a child between two and five years is apparent. All this apparatus,
under the supervision of the teachers, assists the development of control of body and limbs.
Up to the end of the summer term, no child has been considered physically unsuitable for
admission to the school. A few children came for examination suffering from impetigo and
pediculosis. They were excluded till treatment was completed and then re-examined.
The parents are most willing to obtain treatment for their children when it is considered
necessary.
There has been very little infectious illness in the school. One case of smallpox did occur.
I do feel the constant medical supervision helped to check the spread of infection.
I wish to express my deep appreciation of the splendid work of the headmistress, the school
nurse and the care committee representative in connection with the school medical inspections.
I find, as a result of the co-operation between the parents, the teachers and the nurse, the standard
of cleanliness and clothing, not alone of the children in the nursery school, but of the other children
in the home, is raised. One feels the school tends to raise the hygienic standards existing in the
home.
Child guidance.
The general principles upon which the Council has proceeded in regard to the
reference of children to child guidance clinics was set out in the Annual Report
for 1930. The work was continued throughout the year. Use has been made of the
special departments for dealing with maladjusted children at Guy's Hospital, University
College Hospital, Hospital for Sick Children, Gt. Ormond-street, and the
London Hospital. With the first-named hospital, the co-operation has been greatly
extended during the year. Information has been obtained not only through the care
committees but by direct correspondence between the psychiatrists and the Council's
medical officers.
The arrangements for the treatment of children at the London child guidance
clinic, Tudor Lodge, Canonbury, N.l, were described in the Annual Report for 1930.
These have been continued during the year, and as the result of experience it has been
found possible to simplify the work both professionally and administratively. The
following information in regard to the clinic and its activities has been supplied by
the medical director of the clinic, Dr. W. Moodie.
The clinic is situated in a private house which has been specially fitted up to suit
the needs of the work. The rooms are plainly furnished and care has been taken to
avoid any similarity to a hospital. The aim of the clinic is to give advice concerning
London child
guidance
clinic.