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The complaint that the child tires easily, besides being one of the chief symptoms of the
above condition is also noticeable as a rule in septic conditions, such as otitis media, nasopharyngeal
sepsis, infected sinuses, chronic intestinal stasis, chronic appendicitis, in anaemic states and in
girls at puberty.
Convalescent treatment in such cases is usually disappointing if undertaken before the
primary disease has been investigated.
Another type of child who benefits considerably from convalescent treatment is the child
of nervous temperament whose condition is either due to or at least aggravated by his parents
in their endeavour to make his passage through life as tranquil as possible. The attitude of the
parents is understandable as very often there is a history of difficulty in rearing the child and
habits once formulated are very difficult to disestablish. It is usually impossible to persuade
such parents to allow the children to go away but, in the few cases where it is possible, the results
are very gratifying.
A further group of children found to benefit very considerably are those with a history of
great aptitude for taking colds and consequent nasal and bronchial catarrh. The same type of
child who has gone a stage further and shows signs of slight pulmonary fibrosis due to frequent
attacks of bronchitis may also gain considerable improvement in general health from a prolonged
stay of at least six months.
The child with marked pulmonary fibrosis with or without bronchiectasis or severe
bronchitis and Asthma is usually a disappointment, however, and seldom derives much lasting
benefit from such treatment.
From these few remarks it will be seen that there are certain points to be considered
before recommending a child for convalescent treatment and, if these are carefully weighed in
each case, this type of treatment provides us with one of the surest and quickest means of restoring
a child to more or less normal health.
14.—FULL-TIME COURSES OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR BLIND, DEAF,
DEFECTIVE AND EPILEPTIC STUDENTS.
Nothing has been done under this heading by the Authority during the year.
15.—NURSERY SCHOOLS.
There are no nursery schools in the area.
16.—SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION.
The Middlesex County Council's scheme for the Dental Inspection and Treatment and
Ophthalmic treatment of Secondary School children by this Authority which came into force on
the 1st April, 1935, has continued to work smoothly. During the year 1516 children were dentally
inspected, and of these 1222 were found to need treatment. 798 children received treatment
before the end of the year.
104 Ophthalmic cases were dealt with. Spectacles were prescribed in 77 cases and were
obtained in 76 cases before the end of the year.
See Statistical Tables on pages 51 and 52.
17.—PARENTS PAYMENTS.
During the year one new scale of parents' payments has been introduced, and one scale
has been amended.
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