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In addition, provision was made for a further 129 children in accommodation
specially set aside for the purpose at the Council's Millfield convalescent hospital,
Rustington.
They went in parties for a fortnight each, and the accommodation thus utilised
was designated for the period, "The Holiday School."
Only a very small residue of children failed to receive a holiday for various
reasons, such as removal from district or private arrangements for holiday failing to
materialise.
The advantages of open-air education, especially for the debilitated town child
who has few or no opportunities at home to enjoy fresh air, sunshine and play, are
now so well proven that they hardly require further demonstration.
The following annual report by Dr. Louisa Adam on the open-air school at
Aspen House school, Brixton, serves as an example:—
The school was visited weekly throughout the year, the children being kept under strict
medical supervision and weighed and measured monthly.
Of the various types of child submitted for admission, a few only were found to be unsuitable,
e.g., sufferers from bronchitis, and those giving a rheumatic history. Cases of fibroid lung, not
exhibiting marked symptoms, and sufferers from mild and infrequent asthma, were found usually
to do well and derive benefit. The many children suffering from general debility, and also
those suffering from anæmia, made good progress and showed an all-round improvement.
Certain cases of old tuberculous peritonitis and cervical adenitis, also tuberculosis contacts
referred by the tuberculosis officer, were admitted and made satisfactory progress.
The incidence of infectious disease during the year was very small. Four children attended
St. Thomas' hospital for remedial exercises; 67 received dental treatment, 2 children were treated
for enlarged tonsils and 7 for vision.
An average of about 20 children attended daily for treatment for minor ailments.
It is obvious that the life at the open-air school, with its combination of work, rest and exercise,
regulated as it is to suit the type of child in attendance, has a most beneficial effect on the
health of the children, who give the impression of happiness and contentment.
The average increase in height for the whole school was 5.89 cm., and in weight 3.82 kg.
The average increase in height in children over 11 years of age was: boys, 5.25 cm.; girls, 5.75
cm.; and in weight: boys, 3.22 kg.; girls, 3.87 kg. The average gain in height in children
under 11 years of age was: boys, 5 cm.; girls, 6 cm.; and in weight: boys, 3.22 kg.; girls,
2.53 kg.
In respect of the Charlton Park open-air school, Greenwich (from the
neighbourhood of which an open-air school (T) is not readily accessible), the following
extract from the report of the medical officer of health of he borough of Greenwich
is of interest:—
Many children were recommended for admission to the open-air school during 1936. Some
50 children are on the roll, and they are seen at intervals by the tuberculosis officer. Once again,
special mention must be made of the remarkable improvement seen in these sub-normal or "contact"
children after a period at the school. It is a tribute to the care and attention bestowed
on them.
The numbers of children spending a period of stay at the residential convalescent
camp schools during 1937 were: boys, 1,861; girls, 1,618; total, 3,479.
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