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196
"The opportunity of imparting valuable practical health education
to these physically weak was used to the uttermost.
It is my opinion that all the defective children now at Knotts Green
Special School could be transferred to Dymchurch Camp for a longer period
with confidence that their residential stay there would be beneficial."
After the encouraging results of these two camps I suggest
that, in the interests of these defective children, it would be wise
to extend the camp facilities to include a greater number of defective
children and to increase their length of stay in camp.
Dymchurch Holiday Camp—Observations by School Medical
Officer.
On 28th June last I visited the camp during the residence there of the
Leyton school girls, and had the opportunity of making a tour of inspection
of the arrangements.
The camp is situated within 100 yards of the sea. and at low tide a
very large expanse of fine sandy beach is available. The extent of the
sandy beach and the safety of the sea bathing make it an ideal resort for
. children.
The halls and dormitories are built of brick with concrete floors; and
they are dry, well-lighted and well-ventilated. The children sleep in the
dormitories on hammock trestle beds, each child being provided with thick
blankets, a pillow and slip. Ablution sheds and latrines, easy of access
from all parts of the camp, are kept in a very cleanly and sanitary condition.
The water supply from company's mains is subjected to periodical analysis,
and the drainage system is efficient and modern. The whole camp is lit
by electricity generated in the camp power house. I was much impressed
by the excellence of the catering arrangements, by the cleanliness of the
kitchens and dining halls, by the quality and quantity of the meals provided,
and by the apparent absence of tinned foods.
The five fundamental conditions on which the human body depends
for health are:—
Good food, well cooked.
Abundance of fresh air and sunshine.
Regular exercise.
Warmth.
Adequate rest .
I have never seen a camp which is better situated and equipped to supply
these essentials on such a large and liberal scale. One of the greatest
health-giving agents available is the combined action (in moderation) of
salt water, sunshine and fresh air on the human skin; and the Dymchurch
camp certainly offers incomparably better facilities in that direction than
an inland holiday camp.