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given to a variety of groups—parent-teacher associations, social
study groups, etc. on topics of psychological or educational interest.
At the end of the summer term a student in training for
psychological work came to Walthamstow for a month's practical
work, and gave useful help at a busy time of the year.
In January a visit was paid to the Child Guidance Clinic by a
Medical Officer of the Ministry of Education and two of H.M.
Inspectors of Schools. The matter is more fully referred to in the
section of this report dealing with handicapped pupils.
(g) Paediatric Clinic.—The clinic was continued under the
clinical charge of Dr. Elchon Hinden, Pædiatrician to Whipps Cross
Hospital, who reports as follows:—
There have been no major changes in the work of the clinic
during the past year. Children continue to be referred by the School
Medical Officers, so that the bulk of the patients are suffering from
abnormalities of growth or development or from behaviour disorders;
ordinary organic disease is not commonly seen at the clinic.
One of the most serious diseases interfering with normal growth
and development is cerebral palsy. This has many causes—birth
injury, infantile infections, and the like—but the end picture is the
same; a child who has difficulty in making his muscles do what he
wants them to do, and with varying degrees of mental defect as
well. The disease can have any degree of severity, from the bedridden
idiot to the seemingly-normal child with a clumsy right hand.
This makes diagnosis very hard, particularly in the important early
months of growth. "Is my child 'spastic'?" is a thought in the
mind of many a parent when babyhood seems prolonged more than
usual; and although often a true answer can be given, occasionally
only time can tell.
The treatment of these unfortunates is a long and tedious
business, and must last as long as life itself. Many disciplines are
needed to enable the child to make the best possible use of his
damaged motor apparatus, and these must be combined with schooling,
so that the development of his brain does not lag behind that
of his body. I doubt whether it is possible to set up sufficient
'cerebral palsy units' to cope with all the children needing special