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Crippled Chilren. 115
consequently better results. Earlier treatment should
certainly be one result of a local treatment centre.
3.—The table of cases indicates that poliomyelitis
is the chief cause of crippling, congenital deformities
come next, and tuberculosis almost as much as congenital
deformities. As regards poliomyelitis, the age of onset
is in most cases under three years of age. Of the 19
cases, ten occurred under two years of age, two at three
years, two at four years, one at five years, and one at
six years, the onset of the others not being ascertainable.
As to tuberculosis, the age at onset varied from
one year to 13 years, no particular age appearing to be
specially affected.
4.—Most of the children have been accustomed to
receive treatment at London hospitals. It is proposed
to provide medical and surgical treatment for them
at the Ealing King Edward Memorial Hospital. Here
also it is proposed to develop for children the treatment
by massage, remedial exercises, electricity, etc., which
was carried out there for the military patients during
the period of the War.
5.—The Education Committee is most anxious to
provide special educational facilities for such children
as require them, and efforts have been made to secure
a suitable site, with or without buildings, for an openair
school, but without success up to the present.
There will be no relaxation of effort to secure an openair
school in the near future.
It may be noted that of all the cases in the Table
only nine cripples are unable at present to attend the
ordinary public elementary school.