London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Ealing 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]

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73
(4) Massage and Remedial Treatment.-This is given at Mattock
Lane Health Centre on five sessions each week. Special corrective
exercises and massage prescribed by the surgeon are given to the
children. Mothers are also shown these exercises and are urged
to see that they are carried out at home by the children.
(5) Orthopaedic Apparatus.—Arrangements are made for the
supply of splints, special boots, etc., free of charge or at reduced
cost according to the circumstances of the parents. Many of these
special appliances are manufactured by the cripples at the workshops
attached to the Orthopaedic Hospital.
(6) Open Air Schools.—Many of the newer schools in the
Borough of Ealing are built on open air lines and the children
undoubtedly benefit from this arrangement, but as was pointed
out in the Annual Report for 1937 many slightly crippled children
who are now in ordinary schools and who do not require residential
school education would benefit by attendance at an open air day
school.
(7) After Care.—The Juvenile Employment Committee
endeavour to find suitable occupations for children who on account
of their defects find it difficult to obtain occupation or are unable
to compete in the open labour market.

The work of the Orthopaedic Clinic during the year may be summarized as follows:

Orthopaedic Clinic.

School children.Children under five.Total
Attendances by Surgeon121325
Number of children seen for first time158171329
Total number of children examined6535531,206
Attendances by Masseuse87136223
Number of cases treated17187258
Number of attendances by children1,7447542,498
Children admitted to hospital for special treatment27734
Children supplied with special boots or surgical appliances201030