London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
West Ham 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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Blind. There are no local arrangements made for the education
of blind and partially blind children. Where possible, arrangements
are made for these children to be admitted to Residential
Schools for the Blind or Partially Blind.
Epilepsy. Only severe eases of Epilepsy are excluded from
attendance at the Elementary schools. As far as possible
arrangements are made for cases of major epilepsy to be boarded
out at suitable Institutions.
Stammerers. Special classes of from eight to ten weeks'
duration have been carried out at North Street School during the
year. They are under the supervision of a qualified teacher, and
the results have been very promising. In the case of children
where sufficient improvement was not made during the first
course, a repeat course was recommended.
The children are examined by an Assistant School Medical
Officer before and at the end of each Course. During the year
18 boys and 10 girls attended the first class, 6 boys and 5 girls
took a sccond Course, and 3 boys and one girl a third Course.
One boy was considered to be in need of a further Course.
Five classes were held during the year. Children from outside
areas are accepted when vacancies are available.
The following Table sets out the general daily routine at the Stammering Class:—
| 9.30 to 10.30 a.m. | Breathing, Voice and Articulation Exercises, followed bv individual difficulties. |
| 10.30 to 10.45 a.m. | Break. |
| 10.45 to 11.30 a.m. | Reading, Poetry or Conversation. |
| 11.30 to 12 | Arithmetic or written answers to questions upon English, Geography, History or General Knowledge. |
| 2. 0 to 3. 0 p.m. | Voice and Articulation Exercises, Reading, Poetry or Conversation. |
| 3. 0 to 3.15 p.m. | Break. |
| 3.15 to 4. 0 p.m. | Handwork, composed of Bookbinding, Paper Modelling or Drawing. Girls encouraged to bring Needlework or Knitting. Solving of Children's Crossword Puzzles. |
Fyfield Residential Open-Air School.
The Residential Open-air School at Fyfield, Ongar, Essex,
maintained by the Authority for 80 boys and 60 girls provides all
the essentials of outdoor education.
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