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49
Lewis has kindly contributed the following report and statistics
relating to the work of the Walthamstow Branch during 1934:—
"There was a very considerable increase in the number of
children sent away and the pressure was concentrated in the late
spring and early summer. For the first time in the history of
the Branch, we passed the 300 mark with a total of 321 convalescent
cases. A large proportion of the increase is due to the number of
children referred from the Relief Station, viz. : 38, as compared
with 15 in 1933; and also, I think, to illnesses following the
epidemics in the early part of the year. 68 were children of
unemployed fathers.
"There was a slight drop in the number sent away from the
Rheumatism Clinic, but on the other hand we sent 21 rheumatic and
heart children referred1 from other sources. To ensure that these
children are sent to the right home, it has been my habit in
previous years to show them to Dr. Sheldon before taking any
action. Of the 65 children sent from this Clinic, 23 had been given
a previous period of convalescence.
" The number of chest cases sent away has been heavy.
" Our work with the Orthopaedic Clinic has been maintained on
the same lines.
" The steady increase in the number of children sent away during
the past five years is remarkable. The figures are as follows:—
1930, 193; 1931, 258; 1932, 298; 1933, 263; 1934, 321. These
figures are in proportion to the number of children referred to us.
The Branch was founded in 1917, when 81 were sent away, and by
1930 we had numbered 2,000 cases. But in 1934 we numbered our
4,200th case, so that during the past five years we have dealt
with more children than in the preceding 13 years.
" One has hoped that the careful nurturing of the children in
Walthamstow would, as far as convalescence is concerned, tend to
reduce our work, but it is somewhat disappointing to find that the
need has become more pressing. Every recommendation for convalescence
is carefully scrutinised and I am satisfied that no child
who does not require it is given this treatment. The new Milk
Scheme should help to keep the children fitter and may eventually
prove to be the force which will turn the tide.
New cases (in addition to many re-applications) were referred
by:-