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Surgical Appliances. The Education Committee assists in the
purchase of instruments or alterations to same. These Societies
also report cases requiring Convalescent treatment.
During the year a large number of school children were
reported to the Medical Officer of Health, and sent away for
periods of convalescence. Assistance in the purchase or repair
of Surgical Appliances was rendered to 30 children.
I am also indebted to the National Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Children and the Central Association for Mental
Welfare, as well as to the Almoners of a number of voluntary
Hospitals for their valuable help.
(e) In addition to the voluntary hospitals (not only of West
Ham, but of London^ there are a number of other voluntarv bodies
who do very valuable work in regard to the health of the children.
(13) Blind, Deaf, Defective and Epileptic Children.
(a) The returns of children falling under this heading' are
obtained from various sources, viz., by Head Teachers, the School
Attendance Department, Hospitals and Voluntary Associations.
These cases are dealt with as they arise and are followed up
bv a Nurse specially detailed for this work. The children are
also examined by the Chief Assistant School Medical Officer to
ascertain their fitness for school, or otherwise. Some are returned
to the Elementary schools, many are recommended for admission
to the Special Schools, whilst the remainder are considered unfit
for school attendance.
The permanent out-of-school cases are visited from time to
time bv the Nurse, and should there be any changes in the condition
which justify re-examination, arrangements are made accordingly.
There is also an annual return at the end of the year, submitted
by Head Teachers, of all children who in their opinion are
exceptional. These are examined by the medical staff, and cases
considered unfit for attendance at an ordinary school are referred
for further examination by the Chief Assistant School Medical
Officer.
A number of children are placed in various Institutions, and
the Local Authority is responsible for their maintenance.
(b) All mentallv defective children not in school are followed
up. These out-of-school cases are periodically medicallv examined
to ascertain their fitness for admission to Special Schools.
Mentally defective children who are not in Special Schools
are those who are too young- for certification. These are reviewed
from time to time by the Chief Assistant School Medical Officer.
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