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There was, however, evidence that the children were on the whole
poorer in the non-provided than in the provided schools.
(ii) The consideration of children being given milk at schools.
The number of children belonging to voluntary milk clubs was found
to be about 6 per cent. greater in the provided than in the non-provided
schools. The proportion recommended milk by the school doctors was the
same in both groups. There was no evidence that the lower percentage of
dinner cases in some schools was due to free milk being given in place of
dinners.
(iii) A review of unselected records of sub-normal children in the two groups of
schools who were not on the free dinner list.
The proportion of free cases of milk or cod liver oil meals amongst
these children was nearly twice as great in the non-provided as in the
provided schools.
In both groups of schools about 80 per cent. of the sub-normal children
had been treated fully according to the doctors' recommendation and an
additional 10 per cent. in part.
(iv) An examination in the two groups of schools of sample records of children
recommended for treatment for defective vision.
This was a "control" observation intended to test the care committee
activities in the two groups of schools in a matter unconnected with the
question of feeding.
As the result it was found that rather better results were obtained in
the provided than in the non-provided schools.
Provision.
IA/I/I C/U/ l/W / V .
Provision for education in the open air includes nine day open-air schools
(non-tuberculosis) with accommodation for 1,627 children, and six day open-air
schools (tuberculosis) accommodating 618 children. There are also seven country
and seaside convalescent camp schools, accommodating 518 children for periods
varying from one to three months, through which 4,479 children pass annually;
and 210 open-air classes in playgrounds and parks providing for upwards of 6,000
children.
An interesting and successful addition to the open-air facilities in London
was afforded by the experimental residential convalescent camp school, for children
normally attending day schools for the mentally defective, organised in the summer
of 1931 in consequence of an offer from the Shaftesbury Society of their school at
Loughton (Epping Forest) to be used as an open-air school for ailing mentally
defective children.
Arrangements were made for the nomination, by the certifying medical officers,
of any boys or girls in schools for the mentally defective who were noted as requiring
a country holiday for health reasons.
The reports made on the experiment were favourable in all respects, and
provision was made for the opening of the school again for two months in 1932. By
the generosity of Mrs. Warren, chairman of managers of Bravington-road school for
the mentally defective, the Council was enabled to conduct the school for a third
month especially for the benefit of ailing mentally defective girls. Arrangements
similar to those of last year were accordingly made with the Shaftesbury Society.
The children were selected by the school medical officer, and 25 boys went to the
school in May, 24 younger girls in June, and 25 older girls in August. Medical
reports, letters of thanks from parents, and reports from head teachers of day schools
from which the children were selected, all affirm that the experiment was an unqualified
success again this year, the children being brighter and more responsive
since their return.
This experiment has shown beyond all doubt that ailing children sent to such
a school are enabled by improved health and training to derive greater advantage
thereafter from their education at the day schools for the mentally defective. The
gross cost of the school under the very favourable terms offered by the Shaftesbury
Society amounts to £120 for a period of four weeks.