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waiting on the part of the patients. Mr. Rushton also acts as liaison
between the Clinic and the other Clinics at Lloyd Park and outside
public services. A Nurse (Mrs. Morris) is also in attendance to
supervise the order of the children, their undressing and dressing,
the weighing of all cases, and the dispensing of the stock medicines
which may be advised. By her home visits, she is able to help
materially in assuring the regular attendance of the children.
Miss Lewis, of the I.C.A.A., also attends each session, so that
references for convalescence, transfers to the London General
Hospitals, matters of home visiting and reports on housing
conditions can be dealt with directly. I should like to take this
opportunity of thanking each of these for their splendid assistance
in contributing to the efficient working of the Clinic.
"Numbers.—The number of new cases so far dealt with has
reached 203. Of these, 110 have made 2 or more attendances since
their first appointment. There has been no difficulty in securing
second or later attendances, which may be taken to indicate that
the Clinic is being appreciated and used by the patients.
"In 69 cases, the evidence of Rheumatism has been judged to be
negative, and these children have been referred back to the School
Medical Service, further attendance at the Clinic not being considered
necessary. At the end of 1931 there were 134 children being kept
under further supervision, and of these no less than 82 have their
heart affected by rheumatism.
"Objects.—The purposes of the Clinic may be divided into three
headings:—
"(1) Supervision of the health of those children who are already
the subjects of rheumatism. This is the largest function of the
Clinic. Apart from the rheumatic condition, the health of the
children has been found, oil the whole, to be of good standard.
This is largely attributable to the work of the other special Clinics,
such as the Dental, Aural, Tonsil, etc., into whose hands many of
the children have passed before being referred to the Rheumatism
Clinic.
''Teeth.—Twenty-eight children have needed dental treatment,
and have been referred to the appropriate Clinic, where the
requisite treatment has been given.
"Tonsils.—In 17 children the state of the tonsils has been
sufficiently bad as to be injurious to the general health, and removal
of these structures has been recommended and carried out in Hospital,
where the cases can be admitted for one or two nights.