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(h). Orthopaedic and Postural Defects.
Although handicapped by the absence of a Clinic for the supervision of crippling defects,
we have been able to secure expert advice for the cases, and one can only place on record one's
gratitude for the manner in which the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital has co-operated
with us in remedying the defects we found amongst our school children during the year under
discussion.
Thirty-three school children attended from this area as Out-patients.
Three children received in-patient treatment at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital,
the Education Authority accepting responsibility for the Hospital charges.
The conditions for which these children were treated were :—
Post fracture deformity left hip.
Old Poliomyelitis.
Congenital dislocation both hips.
Three other children obtained in-patient treatment at the Royal National Orthopeedic
Hospital by private arrangement of the parents. The conditions were respectively :—
Knock knees.
Ganglion, left foot.
Left Sterno-mastoid Torticollis.
Thirty-one children received non-residential treatment of various forms, e.g., Exercises;
Manipulation and Special Boots.
(i). Heart Disease and Rheumatism.
Whilst we have no arrangement for the treatment of Heart Disease and Rheumatism
within the ambit of the local School Medical Service, such cases as are recommended for institutional
treatment are sent by the Committee to West Wickham or other places according to the
nature of their needs. Other cases are kept under observation at the School Clinics, and, with
the co-operation of Head Teachers, receive modified schooling and periods of rest.
(/). Tuberculosis.
The treatment of tuberculosis is in the hands of the Middlesex County Council.
Any suspicious case is immediately referred to the County Tuberculosis Officer, with whose
Dispensary in Bell Road we are in constant touch.
8.—INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The rules as to the exclusion of infected children and contacts as laid down by the Ministry
of Health and Board of Education in the joint Memorandum of 1927, have been carefully
followed.
The scheme introduced last year for following up certain cases of infectious disease has
continued to operate. By agreement with the Medical Superintendent of Mogden Isolation
Hospital we are notified of every case where there are special conditions that require supervision
after discharge. These cases are seen by a member of the Authority's Medical Staff and are
kept under observation at the Clinic. The expected outbreak of Measles occurred and we have
had the greatest incidence for a number of years, 1,352 cases being recorded.
The visitation and supervision by the Health Visitors over cases notified, has had a
beneficial effect. The use of Measles serum in both cases and hospitals is set out in full
in the following report which was made on the request of the Committee, on the possibility of
dealing with Measles on a large scale.
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