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(a) Minor Ailments. The Health Centre at Pelham Road is
open daily for the treatment of minor ailments. In order to
provide greater continuity, facilities are available for the
treatment of minor ailments on Saturday mornings. With the
exception of bank holidays, the Health Centre was open
throughout the year.
(b) Tonsils and Adenoids. 118 children were operated on for
enlarged tonsils and adenoids during 1931 at the Nelson and
North Wimbledon Hospitals under the Education Committee's
scheme. These patients remain in hospital overnight after their
operations. The children are examined by the Medical Officer
at the Health Centre before they return to school. In addition,
12 other children were operated on for enlarged tonsils and
adenoids by private practitioners or at the voluntary hospitals.
This makes a total of 130 children who received surgical treatment.
Full details are outlined in Table IV., Group III.
(c) Tuberculosis. Cases of tuberculosis, together with suspected
cases, whether discovered as Routines or Specials, were
referred to the Tuberculosis Physician. The Surrey County
Council are the Authority responsible for the treatment of tuberculosis
in Wimbledon.
(d) Skin Diseases. 5 cases of ringworm of the head were
referred to the St. John's Hospital for treatment by means of
X rays under the scheme of the Education Committee.
36 children with ringworm of the body, 22 with scabies, 99
with impetigo, and 143 children suffering from other skin diseases
were treated at the Minor Ailment Clinic at the Health Centre.
(e) External Eye Diseases. 107 children with external eye
diseases received treatment at the Health Centre. The more
serious cases were referred to the Ophthalmic Surgeon attending
the refraction clinic. Many of these children suffering from external
eye diseases require daily treatment over fairly long periods.
As in the case of many other minor ailments it is very difficult
for a great number of the parents to carry out this treatment
adequately at home. At the Health Centre the treatment is
done by the School Nurses under the guidance of one of the
Medical Staff. If the children are irregular in their attendance
they are followed up at home. These defects are consequently
more rapidly rectified and a considerable gain in school attendance
results.
2 children suffering from diseases of the eye were sent to
hospital for treatment.
(f) Vision. Details of the work of the refraction clinic are
given in Table IV, Group II.
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