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74
The conditions for which children were sent included the
following:—Debility, 33; Heart, 16; Rheumatism, 16; Chest, 48;
Anaemia, 14; Malnutrition, 10; Nervousness, 13; after infectious
illness, 11; Surgical, 24; Ear Disease, 3; Various, 18.
A total of 36 children were sent to the convalescent homes or
heart homes from the rheumatism clinic. The average length of
stay in all homes has been 12 weeks 5 days.
The beds reserved at St. Catherine's Home, Ventnor, were
reduced by 6.
This reduction in the reservation of beds prompts an examination
of the suggestion that the full operation of the Open Air School
has helped materially to reduce the amount of convalescent home
treatment required. The Open Air School was opened in September,
1936.
(a) (6) (c) (d)
Referred from Total referred Away at Average
Year. Rheumatism including (a). 31st Dec. Stay.
Clinic.
1937 36 206 56 12 weeks 5 days.
1936 60 311 73 12 weeks 4 days.
1935 64 318 79 12 weeks 5 days.
1934 65 321 84 17 weeks 1 day.
1933 72 249 77 17 weeks 5 days.
1932 73 284 79 17 weeks 1 day.
Average
1932-6 66.8 296.6 78.4 15 weeks 3 days.
Comparing the year 1935 with 1937, i.e., the first complete
years before and after the opening of the Open Air School, there
is a difference of 112 cases, roughly equivalent to a saving of 35 per
cent, on the expenditure on convalescent home treatment during
1937.
14. FULL-TIME COURSES OF HIGHER EDUCATION
FOR BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND
EPILEPTIC STUDENTS.
The Authority for the provision of such courses is the Essex
County Council.
15. NURSERY SCHOOL.
The medical and nursing supervision continued mainly on the
lines detailed in previous reports, i.e., (a) examination of new
admissions at the adjoining school clinic as soon as possible after
admission to school; (b) stripped examination of each child once
per term; and (c) annual routine examination. Parents are invited
to be present at examinations (6) and (c).