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88
ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC.
I am indebted to Mr. K. F. Hulbert, F.R.C.S., for the following
report on this clinic:—
"The Orthopaedic Clinics have been continued throughout the
past year on every Friday afternoon. There has been no slackening
in the number of cases and there has been no marked change in the
variety.
Three problems, however, have been paramount this year: —
(1) The treatment of spastic paraplegia.
The treatment of infants and children suffering from this condition
is not satisfactorily carried out in an Out-Patient Clinic, and the
need for institutional treatment for these children in your area is
great, and any effort that can be made towards improving the situation
will be appreciated by the parents, and eventually by the children
suffering from this crippling disability.
(2) The general posture and physical development of the children
would be improved by providing, at the schools, daily remedial exercises,
done under the supervision of someone trained in the subject.
Children with poor muscular development are often only frightened
and tired out by the usual gymnastics, whereas a quarter-of-an-hour
daily would do them all much more good.
(3) There is still dissatisfaction amongst parents because when their
children require hospital treatment, they have to come all the way to
the Southern Hospital, Dartford, instead of having access to hospitals
in their own area.
1 would also like to pay tribute to the work of the Physiotherapist
Mr. Taylor, who has gained a place in the esteem and affection
of" the patients, by his skill and conscientious treatment, and by his
p'easant and friendly approach."
PHYSIOTHERAPY AND SUNLIGHT CLINIC.
Mr. Taylor reports, as follows:—
"The work of this clinic during 1951 has been varied and
interesting.
The remedial exercises classes have been well attended, a total
of 1,985 attendances being made.
A large percentage of children attend for postural and foot
defects. It is noticeable that a marked improvement in a comparatively
short period is obtained by those attending the postural classes. Those
attending the foot classes take a much longer period to show improvement,