View report page

324
Future Developments. Possible uses of the Site.
In the Board's letter of 15th June, 1914, now under consideration,
reference is made to the above matters, which
we have considered in connection with our inspection and
review of open-air schools and methods.
Physically Defective Children.
Open Air Treatment.—The open-air school movement
probably had its origin in the children's country holiday fund,
but was actually foreshadowed in the open-air treatment of
consumption inaugurated by Dr. Bodington about the middle
of last century. Since Bodington's time open-air treatment
has been advocated in connection with other forms of tuberculosis,
and was in fact in operation at two residential institutions
and schools visited by us, viz., "Woodlands,'' Northfield,
and Eastcote, Pinner, where tuberculosis of the bones
and joints are under treatment. Treloar's Cripples' Home,
at Alton, Hants., visited by the Committee during the winter,
is an institution and school for children suffering from similar
diseases of the bones and joints.
The histories of cases of tuberculosis show that the actual
disease is generally preceded by chronic ill-health, anaemia
and malnutrition, and investigations made in this country
in connection with the feeding of school children and subsequently
medical inspection have shown that similar conditions
predisposing to tuberculosis exist among a considerable
proportion of school children.
The Open-Air Day School.—The doctor insisted that
children showing the signs of disease or predisposition to
disease should be cured or protected from its development,
while the teacher insisted on the mental training of the same
children. To meet both views, and having regard to the
experience gained in connection with tuberculous diseases,
the open-air day school was instituted. At first it dealt
mainly with tuberculous cases, but now it is generally re-