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115
During the year 75 cases were treated by massage:—
Paralysis (infantile) 13
Spastic conditions and birth palsies 9
Scoliosis (2nd and 3rd degrees) 32
Talipes 1
Flat Foot 6
Rickets 4
Torticollis 3
Cong. Distn. Hip 1
Friedreich's Ataxy 1
Thomsen's Disease 1
Fractures (old) 2
Progress. Muscular Atrophy 1
Post. Diphtheritic Paralysis 1
Total 75
Certain of these cases also received remedial exercises, which
were carried out under the supervision of Miss Cooke. Whilst,
where necessary, others were recommended to various hospitals
for operation, or for special treatment such as electrical. The
provision of electrical treatment locally is a real need, and its
absence makes the treatment of many atrophic muscular conditions
much less satisfactory than it otherwise should be.
A summary of the treatment of the defects as shown in Tables
IV. (A. B. C. and 1).) is given in Table V., Appendix A, whilst
Table VI, Appendix A, supplies a summary relating to children
medically inspected at. the Routine inspections, 1921.
There are at present 70 children known to us, and almost
certainlv there are many more, who are suffering from physical
defects requiring the daily use of surgical appliances, a proportion
of whom are unable to attend ordinary schools. Notwithstanding
this, the Borough still lacks the provision of a School for Cripple
Children—a deficiency in the elementary school provision which
was pointed out many years ago, and which should be met at the
earliest possible date.
9. OPEN-AIR EDUCATION.
In spite of the fact that there is a large number of children in
this Borough suffering from early tuberculosis, debilitating conditions,
catarrhal infections of the lungs, mal-nourishment, etc.
no open-air education of any description has yet been provided.
The simplest and the least costly form of open-air education is the
open-air class, and there are many schools in Croydon with playground
area sufficient to permit of the establishment of such
classes, and though this has been adopted in a few instances, it is
of necessity limited to dry weather in the summer months.
As recommended in former reports, a much greater use might
be made of the recreation grounds—so abundantly supplied in the
Borough—as teaching centres. Open-air classes should be held in
these to the greatest extent possible.