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39
The school was visited periodically by medical officers of the public health
department. One of these officers, Dr. Boome, submitted the following report:—
There were eight cases of kyphosis (bending of the spine) in the last party, who were
materially improved by their stay here. Also in the party there were four cases of enuresis
(bed wetting), which cleared up before the end of their stay. All the children, with the exception
of one girl, gained weight there. This girl lost 4 lbs. at the end of the first fortnight, but subsequently
attained her original weight.
There is no doubt that this year, as in 1931, the experiment has justified itself. These
children have gained not only improved health, but a different outlook. The results obtained
have been of a very high standard, and will doubtless express themselves in the later lives of
these children, increasing the possibility of their becoming self-supporting members of the
community.
The enthusiastic work of the teachers has been an essential factor in the successful working
of the scheme which, in my opinion, has a real economic value.
Dr. E. M. McVail reported as follows on the girls:—
The children on the whole showed very marked benefit from their stay. Their pleasure
in their surroundings and their response to the kindness and efficiency of their head mistress
were very evident. Either cabbage or lettuce was given daily, and in addition to the ordinary
meals each child had an apple. The mid-day meal inspected was plentiful and appetising.
On warm days the children wore only knickers, vests and plimsolls. Underclothing was washed
twice weekly and nightdresses fortnightly.
Washing facilities consisted of two baths supplied with a geyser and eight wash basins.
All children had a bath and had their hair washed once a week. Thorough ablution with hot
water was carried out daily. Washing flannels, which it was difficult to keep for individual
use, were scalded in a pail of boiling water twice a day. Each child had her own towel and
tooth-brush.
For each bed there were three blankets, as well as cotton sheets and a mackintosh.
After the mid-day meal all children had 1½ hours' rest on canvas beds, if possible in the
open air, but otherwise in the large school-room. A lean-to shed was used for games in wet
weather.
Most of the time was occupied with games, cricket, dancing lessons or manual work, not
more than about an hour of reading or writing being done daily.
Upen-air
schools for
non-tuberculous
children.
The nine day open-air schools tor non-tuberculous children maintained by the
Council have continued to do their excellent work throughout the year.
At Charlton-park school there have been some difficulties in regard to shelter
from the weather at the most inclement times during the winter months. Fortunately,
winters in England have of late been on the whole mild, but the occasional
short lived blizzards produce much discomfort while they last. The difficulty is
that of providing adequate shelter against these very exceptional conditions without
altering the general open-air character of the buildings, upon which the benefit to
the children and the raison d'etre of the school depend.
In schools such as this designed to give full sanatorium treatment for debilitated
children whose condition gives rise to the apprehension of future tuberculous disease,
any form of heating is anathema. Where heating is provided, the schools quickly
lose their open-air character—" you cannot heat the open-air."
Much attention has been given to the problem at Charlton Park, and it is hoped
that measures to be taken with a view to providing more shelter without unduly
closing in the buildincs will overcome the difficulties.
The following table gives the roll of the day open-air schools on 22nd December,
1932:—
Boys.
Girls.
Total.
Aspen House
84
65
149
Bow Road
115
75
190
Brent Knoll
94
56
150
Charlton Park
78
58
136
Downham
88
56
144
Holly Court
160
126
286
Stowey House
187
90
277
Upton House
88
63
151
Wood Lane
76
68
144
Total
970
657
1,627
The corresponding numbers at this time last year were 966 boys, 682 girls,
total 1,648.