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60
Perusal of the reports on 113 of the children who have returned
from Convalescent Homes during the year showed that only 2
failed to put on weight, and even these cases were reported as having
done well or fairly well. The average weight gain of 30 cases who
had been at Ventnor, was nearly 8 lbs.; whilst of the 85 children
whose weight increase had been recorded amongst the 113, 25
showed increases running into double figures, the maximum being
20 lbs.
Arrangements have now been made for heights and weights to
be recorded before and after Convalescent Home Treatment, in
order to present next year a fuller report.
In 3 cases, suffering respectively from Bronchitis, Fibrosis and
Asthma (i.e., all chest conditions) and treated at the Isle of Wight,
relapses were noted after the return home, and, in 2 cases,
necessitating a further period of Convalescent Home Treatment.
The following summary of a questionnaire sent to Head Teachers
gives further information as to the value of Convalescent Home
Treatment:—
"By arrangement with your Director of Education, and with a
view to ascertaining whether Convalescent Treatment had made
any noticeable and permanent improvement in the health of children
sent to Ventnor and other Homes, a series of questions was addressed
to Head Teachers on 10th April last.
''The replies from 43 Departments show that, approximately,
281 children from these Departments were sent to Convalescent
Homes during the last 3 years.
"Of this number, 263 were noticeably improved, 3 were not so,
and no information was available in respect of 15.
''The Head Teachers report that school work was much improved
in 11 cases, and improved in 184. In 38 there was no change, and
43 were retarded.
''Brightness and liveliness at play generally increased (173
cases), but were unaltered in 77 cases.
"Improvement in health effected by treatment was maintained
in 134 cases; but 21 children showed rapid deterioration, and 109
slow deterioration. The factors which Head Teachers blamed for
any deterioration are as follows:—Homs Conditions, 16; Overcrowding,
3; Improper Food, etc., 6; Insufficient Sleep, etc., 4;
Bad Ventilation, etc., 3.