Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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25
porated in the new schools which have been built under your
direction.
(e) The Authority possesses an Open-air School at Faircross,
situated centrally and upon probably what is the highest ground
of the district. During the year 141 children were on the register,
74 were admitted, and 16 sufficiently improved to permit of their
return to ordinary elementary school. The school combines separate
departments for delicate children and mentally and physically
defectives, such cases being found from routine and special inspections
at school, besides those referred from the inspection clinic and
tuberculosis dispensary. The general routine of the school was
described in the Report for 1924. The benefit derived here is
marked, but slower than at a residential open-air school, probably
on account of the intervening home environment.
(/) Residential Open-air Schools.—The Authority possesses no
residential open-air schools.
The possibility of turning Faircross School into a modified
residential school, at least during the summer months, should be
entertained. The advantages of such a residential school over
and above a day school are very considerable indeed, and you have
at Faircross a well-equipped institution which, for the greater
part of the week is lying idle.
It might be possible, at first perhaps under a voluntary system,
to arrange for responsible persons to be in charge of at least small
numbers of boys and girls who would remain at the school day and
night.
I feel sure that an appeal made by the Local Authority would
meet with a satisfactory response.
(10) PHYSICAL TRAINING.
There is no area organiser of physical training.
(11) PROVISION OF MEALS.
Extra feeding in the form of milk, cocoa, cod liver oil, etc.,
is supplied to children attending the open-air classes of the Special
School throughout the year, while all children at this school receive
a hot mid-day meal.