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At the special inspections one of the children examined
was found to have organic disease of the heart, and one functional
heart disease. Both these eases required treatment.
In addition, two children were found to be suffering from
chorea requiring treatment and one requiring observation.
Most of the cases of organic disease of the heart
occurring amongst school children are of rheumatic origin.
A few are due to congenital heart disease.
Special attention was again devoted to the incidence of
rheumatism.
The figures given below do not accurately indicate the
incidence of rheumatism amongst school children. In the
routine inspections, unless the parents are present, and in
the absence of any abnormality of the heart, it is obvious that
the mildest and most insidious forms of rheumatism are easily
missed unless the child itself complains to the doctor of
"growing pains" or symptoms of a similar nature.
Amongst the 1,812 children examined as routines, nine, or
0.49% were found to be suffering from rheumatism in its
milder and sub-acute forms. In the case of the 2,728 special
inspections there were twenty-eight children, or 1.02%, with
symptoms of rheumatic disease.
(j) Tuberculosis. Cases of tuberculosis are not frequently
found amongst school children in Wimbledon.
During 1937 one suspected case of pulmonary tuberculosis was
discovered at the routine inspections. In addition, two children
with tuberculosis affecting the bones and joints were found,
one requiring treatment and one requiring to be kept under
observation.
One case of tuberculous glands was found amongst the
2,728 children examined at the special inspections.
All suspected cases are referred to the Tuberculosis
Physician between whom and the School Medical Staff a close
co-operation exists.
(k) Other Defects and Diseases. A considerable number
of children were found at the routine and special inspections
to be suffering from conditions not designated as specific
defects in Table II. These conditions are shown in the Table
under the heading "Other defects and diseases." Many of
these conditions were due to colds, influenza, and infectious
diseases. There were also many children found to be suffering
from debility, gastro-intestinal disturbances, slight accidents,
chilblains, and other minor ailments.