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the year 1937. Of the total number of operations performed (8,894), 7,759 were for
both enlarged tonsils and adenoids, 749 for enlarged tonsils only, and 377 for adenoid
growth only ; the remaining 9 were operations in which cauterisation was used. As
a general rule the children are kept in for two nights after the operation, but when
the operation is performed on Friday they are kept in for one night only. In the
latter case, arrangements are made for the children to be conveyed to their homes by
ambulance. This is done throughout the year, mainly on account of the condition
of the children after only one night's rest after the operation. Owing to the risk
attendant upon the children in many cases having to wait in the street for trams and
buses to reach their homes, arrangements have been made for all children operated
upon at the hospitals and centres during the winter months to be taken home by
ambulance. The vehicles of the London Ambulance Service are used for this purpose,
as well as the ambulances provided for the conveyance of physically defective
children. The latter are used as far as possible at the week-ends, throughout the year,
to convey the children kept in for one night only after operation.
Ringworm
There are 5 hospitals and 3 school treatment centres in London where suitable
X-ray treatment is available in connection with the treatment of children suffering
from ringworm of the scalp. Cases are referred to the most convenient centre or
hospital as they arise, but happily the number of cases, though larger than in 1937,
is still very small. During the year 1938 the number of children treated was 103, of
whom 88 were treated by X-rays, compared with 78 cases (69 X-rays) during the year
1937. Twenty-five years ago the number dealt with annually numbered 10,159.
Minor
ailments
I he number of children dealt with at the various minor ailments centres during
the year 1938 was 128,819, including 21,086 seen by the nurses only, compared with
125,669 and 19,304, respectively, during 1937. Under the heading "minor ailments"
in table IV at the end of this report are included 14,292 children suffering from
scabies and impetigo who were treated at the bathing centres, bringing the total
of minor ailments treated (including ringworm) to 143,214.
The total number of minor ailments centres at the end of 1938 was 80. Daily
nursing treatment is also provided at the Bloomsbury dispensary and at 14 schools
where difficulty is experienced in arranging conveniently for the children to attend the
centres.
Dental
treatment
As a result of the appointment by the Council of a full-time consulting dental
surgeon (Major General J. P. Helliwell, C.B.E., L.D.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.), it was
possible for the first time in the history of the Council's administration for a complete
and comprehensive survey to be made of the Council's dental treatment scheme.
After consideration of this survey, certain recommendations were made for the
improvement of the scheme, the chief among which were:—
(1) Reduction in the number of children to be dealt with each session of 2% hoursHitherto
10 new cases had been seen each session in addition to such old cases as
were instructed to re-attend. This standard number per session was set many
years ago, but as time went on and the general condition of the mouths improved,
more conservative treatment was possible, with the result that it became difficult
to provide a high standard of conservative treatment in the time available
each session. It is proposed that the number of cases to be dealt with each session
shall be reduced gradually, and, during the year 1938, where additional sessions
have been approved, the number of new cases in addition to old cases has been
reduced to 6 a session. It is hoped that a reduction throughout the service will
be possible in the future.
(2) Provision of alternative accommodation for centres which were unsatisfactory.
Proceedings have been initiated in this direction, and during the year
1938 arrangements have been made for the replacement or improvement of 6
centres.
(3) Improvement and renewal of dental equipment where necessary. The
equipment at some of the centres has been in use for many years and requires a
thorough overhaul. This is in hand, and modern equipment will be provided as
soon as possible.