View report page

9
in all, were admitted to the Willesden Isolation Hospital
during the year. This is the highest number of cases dealt
with at the Hospital in any one year, and considerably taxed
the accommodation.
Medical Inspection and Treatment.
There were 23,655 children attending Willesden schools
in the middle of the year 1914. 7,358 were submitted to
routine medical inspection during the year, and 3,396 parents
attended the examinations. 4,971 children were specially
referred to the medical staff on account of 5,340 defects.
An increase in the number of health visitors and the establishment
of clinics for the treatment of ringworm in 1913,
and eyes in October, 1914, has enabled the Medical Service
of the Authority to deal with 2,050, or 38.4 per cent., of
these defects. 1,657, or 31.0 per cent., received treatment
from voluntary hospitals, charitable institutions, or private
practitioners; while 1,633, or 30.6 per cent., obtained no
treatment. The 1,633 defects in which no treatment was
obtained were mainly defects where special skill and appliances
are required, and the need for extending the clinics
to embrace the treatment of diseases of the throat, nose,
ear, and teeth is strongly emphasised.
Need for Open=Air School.
Progress was made during the year with this matter,
and plans were submitted to and approved by the Board of
Education. The war, however, has delayed the operation of
these proposals. A general review of the conditions found
amongst school children emphasises more than ever the need
for a school of this character in Willesden. The results of
medical inspection show that there are 142 children of school
age suffering from tuberculosis, and 267 in such a state of
health as to make tuberculosis to them an imminent
danger. In addition, a proportion of the children suffering
from anæmia, malnutrition, enlarged glands, adenoids, etc.,