View report page

In 1946 a research into the effects of sulphanilamide prophylaxis on cases with a
rheumatic history was carried out by several of the physicians in charge of the rheumatism
supervisory centres but the results at that stage were disappointing and unconvincing.
Further experience, however, over the last ten years has led to a partial acceptance of
this principle of prophylaxis, using oral sulphatriad or penicillin tablets in daily dosage
for a period of several years. Some authorities state that this should be kept up till the
age of 18 years—an expensive item on the drug bill. Others, however, still feel that the
immediate treatment of intercurrent respiratory infections with large doses is better
than prolonged prophylaxis in small dosage.
The follow-up of cases by the rheumatism supervisory centres and the school doctors
still continues to be an important integral part of the scheme. At the 20 supervisory
centres 1,118 children, including 503 new cases, gave a total of 3,997 attendances, while
school medical officers had 87 cases under regular review.
Prevention and remedying of postural defects in school children
A number of surveys carried out in the Army during the last war revealed serious faults
in foot and body posture in a high percentage of recruits, both young men and women.
Dr. Doris Baker, who was at that time attached to the Royal Army Medical Corps, as a
specialist in physical medicine, found in a survey of young women in the Auxiliary
Territorial Service that breakdowns, due to postural defects, occurred in the young
women after they had been carrying out for varying periods the wide range of occupations
open to them in that service. The chief weakness was faulty foot posture. By
introducing remedial treatment, consisting of specialised daily exercises for short periods,
it was found possible to overcome many of these faults, thereby saving the loss of many
hours of working time and also inculcating in those concerned a general sense of fitness
and well-being.
The correction of faults in posture which have become a habit over a number of
years, however, presents many difficulties as age advances, and the introduction of suitable
exercises during a child's early years to cultivate correct body carriage and correct
ways of walking and sitting is, therefore, of paramount importance. Such services may
save much personal discomfort in later life. Furthermore, the social and aesthetic value
of a good carriage and an appearance of well-being is a valuable asset in all walks of life.
In 1946 Dr. Baker was invited to undertake the supervision of special remedial
classes for postural foot defects in a number of the Council s primary schools. A selection
of suitable children likely to benefit from attendance at these classes was made and
teachers who volunteered for this work were given a short preliminary training course
at the Council's College of Physical Education.
In the first year, classes comprising 10 to 14 children were held at thirty schools,
selected in all districts of London, the choice being governed by the amount of time and
accommodation that heads and their staffs were able to offer, and some 1,200 children
were given special exercises. The results were so successful that it was decided to continue
and extend the classes to other schools where teachers could undertake this work.
Further courses of training for teachers at the Council's College of Physical Education
have been arranged from time to time.
In 1950, owing to staffing difficulties caused largely by the growing school population,
not only were extensions of the scheme not possible to the large number of schools
at which there might be children who could benefit, but some existing classes had to
cease. Although consideration was given to other methods of staffing these classes, no
alternative proved possible.
A tribute is due to the many teachers who, at one time or another, have volunteered
for this specialised form of instruction and treatment and to the heads of schools who
have encouraged members of their staffs to undertake this work, involving, as it has,
the withdrawal of teachers from some of their ordinary class-work and sometimes
118