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292
As in former years the bulk of the children seen at this
Clinic have been drawn from school children coming under
medical inspection either at school or at the inspection clinic, but
some cases have been referred from the tuberculosis dispensary,
and a few from M. and C.W. Centres.
General practitioners have sent a few cases for supervision
and some have also been sent from Hospital Out-patient Departments.
In last year's report comment was made on the shifting age
group of those children attending for primary examinatior. The
general age of children examined for the first time has been
younger than formerly, the bulk being drawn from children in
the first age group and coming under medical supervision for the
first time at the primary routine medical inspection at school.
The figures for this year bear out this observation. Children
in older age groups were more infrequently referred, most of the
rheumatic subjects in these groups being already under observation.
Where older children were asked to attend for the first time
it was noted that the onset of symptoms belonged to a later stage
in school life.
A number of active cases necessitating modification of school
curriculum were seen. In some of these active cases the aggravation
of their symptoms was so marked as to require their
immediate admission to hospital. Dr. Preston, at Croydon
General Hospital, was again very helpful in securing the admission
of such cases to beds under his control.
The amenities of the Convalescent Hospital at Coombe
Cliff were exploited to the full by children recovering from acute
attacks of rheumatism, and all made a speedy and happy convalescence,
benefitting greatly by the change of air and rest.
As a consequence of the reduced number of children sent
for primary examination, the number of those seen at reinspertion
was correspondingly greater than in former years.
It was also found much easier to keep in touch with acute
cases and cases whose symptoms were puzzling or gave cause for
anxiety. Parents were especially grateful for this latter supervision,
and many evidences of the appreciation of the work of the
Clinic have been received from parents, teachers and practitioners.