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I am of opinion that in a Special School with accommodation
for some 160 pupils all the disabilities above mentioned could be
dealt with, and if it could be known by a name other than a School
for Mental Defectives it would be a great advantage. I would
suggest such a name as "Special Disability" School. The mentally
defective section would, of course, be kept quite apart from
any other section, and the school should have facilities for providing
meals. A small swimming bath attached would be a great
asset. A site fairly accessible to all parts of the Borough would
be necessary.
Dental Clinics. It has been put forward by the Board of
Education that much more attention should be paid to the dental
treatment of the children, and that it is desirable that dental treatment
should be available for school children of all ages. Up till
last year, only children between the ages of 6—8 years were dentally
inspected in this Borough. Last year, however, an additional
Dentist was appointed, and a number of schools were allocated to
her to inspect and treat all the scholars. In order to carry out this
method in full, at least five more Dentists should be appointed, and
three additional Dental Clinics would be needed. In this connection,
as it is proposed to erect three new Maternity and Child Welfare
Clinics in the Borough, with Dental Clinics attached, it would
be mutually advantageous if those Clinics could be used for both
the School Medical and Maternity and Child Welfare Services.
At present all the Eye Cases for refraction are dealt with at
the Balaam Street Clinic—the extra number of cases which certainly
must arise will necessitate several further sessions weekly,
and a Refraction Centre could be opened at the West Ham Lane
Clinic, where there is a room available, only the extra apparatus
being needed.
Additional facilities may become essential for the treatment
of minor ailments when the school leaving age is raised.
Amongst other matters which the Committee may care to bear
in mind are the provision of special treatment centres for Rheumatic
cases, and the making of arrangements for all children to
be kept in Hospital for a day prior to and following the operation
for removal of tonsils and adenoids.
How far the results of the beneficial effect of Nursery Schools
will reduce the percentage of weaklv children entering the
Elementary Schools will be a matter to be watched with great
interest.
F. GARLAND COLLINS.
November, 1929.
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