View report page

28
powerful effect; but it is likely that improved housing and nutrition
are also very important. Finally, we have to consider a secular*
change in the invasive powers of the haemolytic streptococcus—the
causative organism. This is shown, similarly, in the declining
incidence and severity of scarlet fever. We should not be too
complacent about this: what wanes may wax again. But be the
causes what they may, there is no doubt of the effect; and in
Walthamstow, as in the rest of the country, rheumatic fever is now
a disease of trifling importance. The numbers of children attending
the Rheumatism Supervisory Clinic, and particularly the new
patients, have so fallen off that its Medical Director, Dr. Mary
Wilmers, has felt justified in suggesting closing the clinic as a
separate entity, and amalgamating it with the general school consultative
clinic; and this was done from the beginning of 1957.
I feel that many generations of Walthamstow school children owe
a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Wilmers and to her predecessor,
Dr. Wilfrid Sheldon, for their painstaking and most valuable work.
"I should like to thank my colleagues in the School Health
Service for the honour they do me in seeking my opinion, and the
family doctor for permitting the reference; and to my colleagues at
Whipps Cross Hospital, Dr. Walther, Pathologist, and Dr. Tettmar,
Radiologist, for granting me the facilities of their departments."
Over 5 years Under 5 years
New cases 57 24
Total attendances 99 47
Physical Defects:
Number of cases 43 24
Referred to Hospital 10 15
Discharged 9 8
Psychological Disorders :
Enuresis 14 —
Other 2 —
Referred to Hospital 5 —
Discharged 2 —
(g) Speech Therapy.-Treatment centres are provided at the
Old Education Offices at High Street and at the Wingfield House
School. The arrangements for previous years have continued in
regard to the selection and reference of children for speech therapy.
During the summer term Miss Hemmings undertook speech
therapy training at the Sir George Monoux Grammar School by
special arrangement with the Headmaster, who reports that to
* Secular.—A slowly progressive change.