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The approval of the Board of Education has now been
obtained for additional accommodation of 20 boys and 40 girls.
The function of the School is to afford an opportunity of
improving the resisting power of the debilitated child of the noninfectious
type. The children are selected and recommended by
the School Medical Staff and are examined before admission.
The cases selected for admission are children who are below
average in health or physique or who are debilitated after illness.
Children suifering from active disease are not considered suitable
cases for admission. All candidates for Fyfield have their teeth
put in order and any necessary operation upon the throat performed
prior to admission.
Fortnightly visits are paid to the School by the Chief Assistant
School Medical Officer, when all the children are medically reexamined
and the height and weight noted. In case of emergency
or sudden illness a local practitioner is called in.
During the year 174 boys and 139 girls were admitted and
175 boys and 134 girls discharged. The discharged cases are
medically re-examined a few months after leaving the School to
ascertain if the improvement is maintained.
Of the 322 cases sent for re-inspection, 23 did not attend for
various reasons. Out of the 299 examined 266 showed continued
improvement, whereas 33 had had intercurrent ailments, and their
then present condition was not considered so satisfactory.
The daily routine at this School commences at 7 a.m., when
the children rise, clean their boots and shoes and wash. Breakfast
is served at 8. This is followed by inspection and any necessary
attention by the nursing staff. From 9.10 a.m. to 11.50
a.m. and from 2.40 p.m. to 4.35 p.m., classes are conducted
by fully-qualified teachers in class-rooms specially constructed
for open-air work. These rooms are open to the
air on three sides and are fitted with a hot water heating
system for use in cold weather. When conditions are suitable,
classes are carried on in an enclosure where trees have been
planted.
Dinner is served at 12 and then comes the "Rest" of hours.
During this time the children lie in a large open-sided rest-room on
chairs made for the purpose and under the supervision of one of
the nurses.
At 4.45 the children have tea, and the remainder of the day
is devoted to recreation. For this purpose there is a large playing
field for football, cricket, netball, etc., and large rooms for indoor
games. Evening entertainments are given and there is a children s
library.
Bathing takes place twice each week, and careful attention is
given to teeth and personal hygiene generally.
The dietary has proved quite satisfactory. A specimen week
is given on the following page:—
166