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

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Edmonton 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]

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A Nurse is in constant attendance at the school who, in addition to the
duties enumerated below, looks after the general welfare of the children. It
must be understood that all the children are in subnormal health, and the
individual attention at her hands enables them to combat their various disabilities
and so benefit from the education provided. It must be emphasised,
however, that the children are not treated as invalids. The school is run
on normal lines and the children are encouraged to live the lives of fit
children, who are very fortunate in that they enjoy constant fresh air in the
midst of natural surroundings. They are taught to keep well by ' the
observation and practice of a hygienic way of life.'

Duties performed by the School Nurse include:—

Minor Ailments, number treated daily averages14
Ear, Nose and Throatdo.8
Minor Eye Defectsdo.10
Shower Bathsdo.34
Emulsion, Parrish's Foodand Cod Liver Oil14

In addition to the above, the School Nurse collects and sends to the clinics
all Aural, Refraction, Orthopaedic, Rheumatic and 'Sunlight' cases.
The School Nurse assists the Headmaster at meal times, when she
supervises the special diets of some and takes notes of the varying types of
appetites of others.
The children have been remarkably free from skin troubles, and only one
case of infectious illness (a mild attack of Chicken Pox) was reported during
the period ending 27th January.
On the whole, parents have co-opcrated well, and where contact between
home and school has been maintained, much good has resulted to the
children. At an ' Open Day ' in September, over 100 parents were addressed
by the School Medical Officer. ' Open Days ' are to be a regular feature
and it is hoped that mothers and fathers will avail themselves of the opportunity
of making themselves familiar with the objects and work done in the
Open-Air School.
When the school first opened, many children were over-clothed; this
has now been largely overcome, but the question of suitable footwear is a
constant source of concern to the staff. It is necessary that the child's feet
should be dry, yet many children arrive at school on wet days with footwear
in a bad state. Help through the Boot Fund is given to necessitous cases,
but no excuse can be offered for those parents who will not allow their
children to wear the 'Sunday' pair. Parents are urged to keep their
children well shod."
The Director to the Education Committee has kindly supplied details
regarding camp journeys in which Edmonton school children have participated
during the year, including the cost to the Committee, etc.
52