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What I envision is that you will set up something to take the place of the
rheumatic clinics held elsewhere.
To my mind you could very well entertain the possibility of making suitable
financial provision for the appointment of a specialist. It would appear to me
that this specialist could very well be working in Barking for a minimum period of
a year, studying the problems peculiar to the town by taking part in the ordinary
activities of the Department, and in other ways informing himself of all the
circumstances of the problem.
It would only be at the end of this year that I should be prepared to come
forward with proposals and recommendations, but I would like to say that if this
service is initiated you may be facing the financial problem of providing hospital
accommodation for these oases of rheumatism and sub-acute rheumatism in children,
who do not do well at special schools and for whom there is not adequate hospital
provision in the ordinary hospitals of the Country.
(c) Influenza.—I regret to report that during 1937 there were 17 deaths from
influenza. This contrasts with 7 deaths in 1936, 9 deaths in 1935, 12 deaths in 1934,
and 21 deaths in 1933.
The time has not yet arrived when influenza can be treated specifically, and
I must repeat, as before, that the general public regard the disease far too lightly,
and that advice and treatment should be sought always at an early stage.
(d) Scabies.—Fifty-five cases of scabies were brought to the notice of the
department during the year. Disinfection of bedding and blankets was carried out
where desired.
(e) General.—Non-notifiable infectious diseases amongst school-children are
much more easily traced than the diseases amongst adults.
As you know, the School Attendance Officers of the Education Committee are
General Inquiry Officers, and we have a lot of reliable information on which we can
act so far as infectious diseases amongst school-children are concerned.