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Medical Department to refer several cases to this Hospital, under
the general terms of agreement between the East Ham Corporation
and the Hospital Authorities.
2. Rheumatism and Heart Disease.
The institutional treatment of children suffering from Rheumatism
and Heart Disease is provided at the East Ham Memorial
Hospital, at Queen Mary's Hospital, at Victoria Park Hospital,
and in the Rheumatic Clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
These arrangements are on a purely voluntary basis, except in
regard to the East Ham Memorial Hospital, and the results have
been very satisfactory. The relationship existing between the
Hospitals and the School Medical Service is cordial, and co-operation
in the interests and well-being of the children is complete.
All cases of this type are kept under frequent observation at
the School Clinics in order to assess progress and ensure regular
hospital attendance. Head Teachers are notified in regard to
necessary modification of the normal routine in the case of children,
coming within this category, who are permitted to attend
school.
Arrangements have also been made for the more serious and
chronic cases to be admitted to Special Residential Schools at
Godalming, Hayling, Lancing and Woodford.
It is particularly in connection with children suffering from
rheumatic and cardiac defect, who are being allowed to attend
Ordinary Elementary Schools, that the need for a Day Special
School is emphasized, for, whilst the Teachers have rendered invaluable
assistance in carrying out and supervising the special
precautions and recommendations issued from time to time by
the medical staff, the majority of these children lack the routine
and graduated treatment which is available in the Day Special
School. On reference to Table III. D. it will be appreciated that
39 children, with definite heart defect, are in attendance at
Ordinary Elementary Schools.
Although it has long been the practice to give careful attention
to scholars who have been discharged from Hospital after
scarlet fever and diphtheria, or who have suffered from recurrent
sore throat and "growing pains," there is no doubt that even
greater vigilance in these cases would prove of value in the