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Open-air Classrooms in Public Elementary Schools.—Modern
architecture is tending towards the erection of classrooms which
can be turned into open-air classrooms. A lot, however, yet remains
to be done in this direction, and I am happy to note that we are
moving in the right direction in the new schools which are being
built.
Ultra Violet Light Treatment.—Ultra violet light treatment
has been carried out at Faircross School during the year, the
total cases treated being 18. The period of treatment of these
cases varied from one month to twelve months and the total number
of doses was 806.
Children diagnosed as suffering from Tuberculous Glands,
Alopaecia, Rheumatism, Anaemia. Debility, Impetigo and Cervical
Adenitis are among those who have derived considerable benefit
from this treatment.
It has been found possible during the year under review to
provide increased medical supervision for this work, but the whole
question of ultra violet treatment in Barking requires revision and
I am submitting a separate report on this matter.
(10) OPEN-AIR SCHOOLS.
Once again, in discussing the question of Open-air Schools, 1
want to speak of the futility of building an Open-air School, staffing
it and equipping it for its special work and then using it only for
about 25 hours in the week.
The ladies and gentlemen of the Council and its Committees
who visit the Open-air School rejoice with me in the good work it is
carrying out, but I cannot help feeling that we are spending a lot of
money to obtain results which represent a small return for the
money expended, when the expenditure of more money would
bring an increased return out of all proportion to the extra expense.
Our aim, of course, is to make Open-air Schools unnecessary,
but this involves work by the Council on housing, etc., as well as
work by the Education Committee of the Council, but so long as