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uneconomic because only about two-thirds of this reasonable
number turn up. On the other hand, an extraordinary number
of cases are asked to turn up in the hope that a reasonable number
will do so, and the curious thing is that when this is done, almost
every case keeps the appointment and, in addition, a number of
casuals attend. In these circumstances, the work can only be
done with great strain on the practitioner, which is neither good
to him nor the patients, or, alternatively, some of the patients
have to be turned away, which is hardly ever done because such a
procedure is bad for the clinic.
It is to be hoped that the public will remember that it is their
money which is being spent on these Clinics, and it is our responsibility
to see that it is spent economically, and that we cannot
do this unless people will look upon appointments made in the
public service just as seriously as they would look upon other
professional appointments.
Crippling Defects and Orthopaedics.—The treatment carried
out for cripples in Barking has been in the past and still is very good.
Mr. Whitchurch Howell attends once a month and Miss Findlay
on three whole days a week.
This service, however, does not cope adequately with all the
work we have at the present time, and will be far short of what is
necessary in the immediate future.
Last year I seriously urged you to increase your orthopaedic
work, and I advise you that forthwith provision should be made
for the equivalent of the services of a whole-time orthopaedic nurse.
The premises, too, where this work is carried on are unsatisfactory.
There should be waiting room accommodation to replace
the draughty corridor in which so many people have to wait at the
present time, and to prevent the overcrowding, particularly on
Wednesday afternoons, we have in the one room available. There
should also be proper accommodation for the children to undress
and dress.+