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"During the summer months when weather conditions were
particularly favourable, school was carried on almost entirely out
of doors, and in the resting period the beds were placed on the
grass until the sun became too hot. Gardening became a most
popular occupation. Balance sheets were made and some profits
were quite high. A landscape garden is planned which may require
two or three summers in developing.
"The Inspectors of the Board of Education inspected the school
with regard to the medical and dietetic arrangements in June, and
again in September for the educational side. Their suggestion that
children should be classified on an age basis rather than attainment
has been put into effect.
"Wherever possible, subjects are treated from the practical
standpoint so as to encourage outdoor occupation. Meteorological
instruments have been set up and chartings of temperatures, etc.,
are carried on by the Senior class.
"During the year, 20 children were discharged by the medical
officer as being fit to return to ordinary elementary schools. The
majority of children show marked improvement in general
Appearance.
"The classification on December 22nd, 1937, was as follows:—
Orthopaedic. Cardiac. Epileptic. Debilitated.
Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Total.
18 18 12 10 2 2 46 46 154
(iv) Orthopaedic Scheme.—
The arrangements whereby the Superintendent Health Visitor
and the Welfare Masseuse attended each Clinic was continued. The
close liaison has proved very valuable. A total of 15 Consultant
sessions were held in 1937.
The scheme is under the clinical charge of Mr. B. Whitchurch
Howell, F.R.C.S., Consulting Orthopaedic Surgeon, who reports
as follows:—
"The transfer of the orthopaedic clinic and Open Air School
to Hale End Road has proved a great success.
"The increased accommodation for all purposes has very
definitely improved the health of the cripples and increased the
popularity of the clinic. The statistical returns show that it was
necessary to admit a large number of cases, namely 17, into the
Brookfield Orthopaedic Hospital for specialised treatment and
operation.
"The treatment of these and the out-patients has been very
ably carried out by the orthopaedic staff under Miss Garratt, Miss
Taylor and Miss Hill, to whom, with Miss Lewis, the cripples of
the Borough owe much."