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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The condition of the children under 15 years of age (on admission) who were discharged from residential institutions in 1931 is indicated in the following table, the figures in brackets being those for 1930:—

Immediate results of treatment.Classification.Surgical.Totals.
A.Bl.B2.B3.
Quiescent102 (123)6(2)1 (5)— (—)426 (302)535 (432)
Not Quiescent63 (80)6 (4)30 (25)16 (7)147 (205)262 (321)
Died in institution2 (3)— (—)3 (—)8 (5)19 (19)32 (27)
Total167 (206)12(6)34 (30)24 (12)592 (526)829 (780)

Papworth
and Preston
Hall Village
Settlements.
The Council sends a number of patients to PapworthVillage Settlement, near Cambridge,
and to the Preston Hall Colony, Aylesford, Kent, both under its tuberculosis
scheme and as "municipal" cases. A careful selection is made with a view to the
admission of patients most likely to be accepted later as suitable for settlement in the
colony; 23 of the Council's former patients have been accepted as permanent employees
of the industrial settlement at Papworth and 20 at Preston Hall. The serious
problem is the patient who, after some 12 or 18 months' treatment and training,
has small prospect of entering a settlement. As both colonies are industrial concerns
it is necessary that only the most efficient should be accepted for employment. The
Council has accordingly entered into arrangements with the authorities of the
institutions for a reduction of the fee charged concerning those patients who,
although unlikely to be fully self-supporting, are yet able to be of some
commercial value. These cases are subject to periodical review at intervals
of a few months. At the end of the year 71 patients at Papworth and 71 at
Preston Hall were being treated under this arrangement.
Burrow
Hill Colony,
Frimley,
Surrey.
In 1929 the Burrow Hill Colony, Frimley, Surrey, which belongs to the National
Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, was re-organised into an institution
for the treatment and training in gardening and clerical work of youths between the
ages of 14 and 19 years. The scheme is that youths suffering from tuberculosis who
need to remain under treatment for at least a year are sent to the colony and the
Council has authorised the granting of a second year of training in cases where there
are definite indications that prolonged residence is likely to be of special benefit
to the boys, both as regards health and fitness for employment. The course of instruction
at the colony has received the approval both of the Board of Agriculture
and the Board of Education. The Council maintains an average of about 40 beds.
A scheme has been adopted under which arrangements are made for special
training in gardening of selected boys with a view to their subsequent employment
in the Council's parks department as "improvers" after two years training at the
colony.
This scheme contemplates that five youths will be accepted for such employment
during each financial year. Three youths commenced work in the parks department
under the scheme in April, May and September, 1931, respectively. Very
satisfactory reports have been made concerning their conduct, work and industry
from the officers under whom they have been placed.
The following excerpts are taken from the reports:—
Case 1.—He is the type of young man which is too rare in the gardening ranks and
should be encouraged. He is being given a varied experience in the work and
should become a valuable asset
Case 2.—He is willing, industrious and keen at his work. He adapts himself to all
park work
Case 3.—He adapts himself well to park and nursery work . . . keen and energetic,
takes great interest in his work .... is likely in due course to become
an efficient member of the gardening staff.
Definite arrangements have been made for two other youths to commence
work in the parks early in 1932 and additional youths have been provisionally
selected at the colony for employment in the parks during the ensuing year.