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Annual reports are submitted for each school by the assistant medical officer
in charge. The following report by Dr. C. N. Atlee on Holly Court open-air school
is selected as an example:—
The number of children on the roll of the Holly Court open-air school for this year was
nearly 300; 142 were admitted, and 156 were discharged, the number of discharged noted as
being "fit" amounting to 112. The remaining discharges were for such causes as removal from
district, and in a few cases by wish of the parents, the long tram journey sometimes causing
sickness amongst a particular type of nervous child.
The health of the children has been excellent, only three cases of infectious diseases having
occurred throughout the year. The average increase in weight was 3 kgm. for boys and 31 kgm.
for girls.
Sun bathing was carried on from June until October, some 100 selected cases being so treated.
Personal hygiene was very good, the standard being high. A weekly inspection and a
weekly bath were part of the standard routine of the school.
Foot inspection of the whole school was carried out with a view to cleanliness and for
detection of cases of weak arch. A Woulfi's bottle apparatus was also equipped for the purpose
of giving breathing exercises to children suffering from poorly expanded chests and bronchial
troubles.
Meals were served in the open air under cover, and were varied each day, care being taken
to include in the daily menu a proportion of fresh vitamin foods, such as salads, butter, milk,
fresh fruit and vegetables. The following is a sample menu:—Breakfast: Porridge or fresh
fruit, milk, bread and butter, marmalade, cocoa and milk; Dinner: Roast beef with two
vegetables, milk pudding and fruit; Tea: Hot milk with tea, bread and butter, jam or cake.
The members of the care committee have been good enough to send several cases from crowded
areas and tuberculous families, who have derived great benefit from the air and feeding.
Open-air
schools for
tuberculous
children.
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 540 children.
The number on the roll on 31st December, 1932, was 567, and the average attendance
for the year was 473.8.
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 1932, 162 children were admitted
and 179 discharged. Of the latter, 38 were transferred as fit to attend elementary
schools, 59 were fit for work, 50 were transferred to residential institutions for
residential treatment for tuberculosis or admitted to hospitals for various reasons,
22 moved away, 3 were transferred to special schools, and 7 were discharged for
other reasons.
In 1925, vocational classes were opened at Springwell House and Stormont
House open-air (tuberculosis) schools, 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 eardeniner. Instruction in carnentrv is also given at this school.
The following school journeys were made during the year 1932 :—
School.
Period.
Place visited.
No. of
children.
From
To
Elizabethan open-air school
7th June
21st June
Bognor Regis
15
21st „
5th July
Whitstable
15
Geere House
1st „
15th June
Sandon
24
Kensal House
17 th
1st July
Tankerton
25
Nightingale House
5th
21st „
,,
25
Stormont House
7th „
21st June
Bognor Regis
24
21st „
5th July
Whitstable
25
Springwell House
2nd Sept.
16th Sept.
Broadstairs
51
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