View report page

During the year 196 boys and 165 girls were admitted, and
192 boys and 166 girls discharged. The discharged cases are
re-inspected by the relevant Assistant School Medical Officer a
few months after leaving the Institution, to see if the improvement
is maintained. All candidates for Fyfield have their teeth put in
order, and any necessary operation on the throat performed prior
to admission.
Improvement as a rule shows itself soon after admission,
owing no doubt to a better regime of hygiene obtaining than
exists at their homes. A local practitioner, Dr. David, is called
in for emergencies or sudden illness, when they arise.
Out of 293 cases sent for re-inspection following their
discharge from Fyfield, 19 did not attend owing to various reasons.
Out of the 274 examined, 221 showed continued improvement,
whereas 53 had had inter-current ailments, and their present
condition was not considered so satisfactory.
The following is a brief account of the daily routine at the
School:—
The children rise at 7 a.m., wash, clean boots, and are served
with breakfast at 8. Then comes inspection, and any necessary
attention by the nursing staff. From 9.10 to 11.50 a.m., and
from 2.40 to 4.35 p.m. the children attend classes under properly
qualified teachers, conducted in classrooms specially constructed
for open-air school work. These classrooms are capable of being
opened to the air on three sides, and are fitted with a hot water
heating system for use in very cold weather. Under suitable
conditions classes are often held outside in a meadow or under
the shelter of some trees.
Dinner is served at 12, and this is followed by the "Rest" of
1^ hours, which is taken on a special chair in the large open-sided
rest-room, under the supervision of one of the nurses. The children
are bathed once a week, and great attention is given to the
cleanliness of the teeth and personal hygiene generally.
The food served is ample in quantity and of the best quality,
and includes fruit and fresh vegetables brought daily from the
school gardens.
On arrival at the School each child is well and comfortably
clothed, the outfit including good boots or shoes, woollen underclothing,
woollen jumpers, flannel suits for boys and blue gym
frocks for girls, and, for winter use, heavy reefer overcoats.
There is a large playing field where cricket, football, netball
and other games are played ; while on winter evenings entertainments
are given, and indoor games and a good library are made
use of.
After a light supper the children retire to the dormitories
about 8 p.m. and, as a result of a busy day under healthy conditions,
are soon sleeping soundly.
166