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37
Following the report, your Authority decided to allocate 30 days
annually of Miss Langley's time to regular and detailed supervision
of the Feeding Centres.
The average cost per meal for the period September 27th to 26th
February, 1932, varied from 3.71d. at Shernhall Street School to
5.31d. at Joseph Barrett School.
The reports for November, 1931, for the School Canteen showed
that the excellent hand-washing facilities provided were not being
fully utilised, that there was an insufficient supply of hot water,
and that the existing menus were badly balanced. The oven space
was over-taxed. Many children were found suffering from spots which
were thought to be possibly due to deficiency of anti-scorbutic
vitamin which had been entirely omitted throughout one week.
There was lack of variety, too little steaming, too much stewing,
and too much food which required no mastication.
A report on the feeding at the Myope Centre showed similar
deficiences, and in particular, the paucity of the anti-ophthalmic
vitamin which should be excessive at such a Centre.
The report on the feeding at the Physically Defective Centre
showed a similar state of affairs with a marked deficiency of the
anti-rachitic vitamin D, which should be well supplied in such a
school.
The report on the conditions at the Shernhall Street Special
School also showed that too much starchy food was in use, deficiency
in greens and vegetables, and the necessity for increasing the supply
of vitamins by menus with a better variety of vegetables.
Following her inspections, Miss Langley then drew up Summer
and Winter Menus covering two weeks, and although basically
similar, there were the necessary variations in the case of the Myope
and Physically Defective Schools. Subsequent demonstrations and
inspections showed the new menus to work well in practice, meals
were being served in better tune, and children were enjoying their
food better and asking for more.
Following the re-organisation of the menus Miss Langley has
interviewed and obtained the co-operation of parents of children
attending Special Schools on account of special diseases. Thus;
special diets have been drawn up for children suffering from the
following conditions:—Epilepsy, Kidney disease, Heart disease and
malnutrition. It is hoped to develop this particular phase of
skilled dietetic supervision but, unfortunately, in one case of
Epilepsy, the parents have already failed to continue the necessary
co-operation in the home.