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112
"The provision of a day open-air school, erected on a
suitable site within the Borough, would tend markedly towards
reducing the number of definitely physically defective children,
with the result that, at no distant date, the present serious
need for a large number of places in a Physically Defective
Centre and a Residential Open-air School would be less
urgent."
In regard to the 109 children suffering from glandular and
non-infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, and the 24 children suffering
from active non-pulmonary tuberculosis, who are attending
ordinary elementary schools, it is obvious that all these cases would
benefit far more from an open-air school life and the liability of
relapses occurring would be almost eliminated.
It will also be noticed that 105 crippled children (many of
whom are suffering from severe heart disease) are attending
ordinary elementary schools only because no special school is
available for their reception.
This appears to be a very appropriate section under which
to make mention of "Health Teaching in Schools." It is very
regrettable that no routine instruction is g'iven by the teachers in
the simple laws of health and hygiene. In the year 1925, a scheme
was submitted to the Head Teachers' Association which embodied
suggestions for a "School Children's Health Service," but the
scheme was "considered impracticable" and no alternative suggestion
was put forward.
The following matters deserve very careful consideration in
determining upon the question of the most satisfactory action to
be taken in regard to defective, delicate and tubercular children:—
1. A more intensive health campaign in regard to children
under school age, together with complete medical supervision
and treatment of children up to the age of five years.
2. The systematic instruction and interesting study and
practice of hygiene in the elementary schools.
3. The erection of a day open-air school to accommodate
at least 500 children.
4. The provision of a Special School for Physicallv
Defective Children to accommodate at least 200 children.
5. The improvement of home conditions, especially in the
direction of reducing overcrowding.