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35
Extracts from the six-monthly Reports of the Medical Officer
(Dr. J. S. Coleman):
September, 1937.
HEALTH OF THE CHILDREN.
The general health of the children has been excellent, the
number of cases of serious illness very small, and there have been
no deaths.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
During the period under review there have occurred 6 cases
of Scarlet Fever, 1 of Measles, 6 of Diphtheria (all sporadically),
and two definite epidemics of whooping cough, with 26 cases,
and Mumps with 14 cases. It must be pointed out that in both
these diseases isolation of contacts is almost impossible, the
incubation periods are spread over several weeks, and premonitory
symptoms of a specific nature non-existent. We still owe much
of our infectious disease incidence to children being admitted
directly to the various Blocks where no system of quarantine is
possible. (The number of children admitted to the East Ham
Infectious Diseases Hospital was 26—one death resulted from
Diphtheria, which occurred in the second half of the year.)
NURSING.
The general nursing and care of the children has progressed
along modern lines, and the physical fitness of the older boys and
girls has been amply exemplified to all who witnessed their
physical culture displays, and abundantly demonstrated in their
sports records. A word of praise is due to the Physical Drill
Instructor in his devotion to the children and the help he has
accorded me in improving the physique of children I have found
to be suffering with postural deformities and other orthopaedic
infirmities.
SUPPLY OF MEDICAL & SURGICAL REQUISITES.
The supply of medical and surgical requisites has been
adequate, but we look forward with keen anticipation to the
benefits to be derived from our own dispensary.
CAMP.
I am anxious to record the definite physical improvement and
elevation of general morale of all the children who visited Camp