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In addition, at the Invalid and Crippled Children's Hospital,
four beds are reserved for young children requiring in-patient
orthopaedic treatment; there are complete facilities at the hospital
for out-patient treatment of the common deformities of this age
period, e.g. bowlegs and knock-knees, slight talipes, torticollis in
infancy due to birth injury, etc. Most of these patients are referred
to the Orthopaedic Surgeon from the Child Welfare Centres
in the Borough.
Arrangements are in force with the Committees of Queen
Mary's Hospital, Stratford, and St. Mary's Hospital, Plaistow,
for the treatment of ear, nose and throat defects in young children.

Convalescent Homes for Children under 5 years of age.
Children under 5 years of age are referred for convalescence
through the Medical Officer of Health to the Invalid Children's
Aid Association and to the Invalid and Crippled Children's
Society, by whom the children are admitted to recognized and
approved convalescent homes. In June, 1936, the convalescence
laeilities were augmented by the arrangement made bstween the
Council and the West Ham Central Mission, whereby the Council
agreed to retain 20 beds at "Child Haven," Brentwood, to be
used for the convalescent treatment especially of young children.
During 1936, 248 children under five years of age were sent
away for periods varying from four to twelve weeks. The great
majority of these children are recommended by the Medical
Officers of the various Child Welfare Centres in the Borough,
chiefly for chronic conditions such as persistent anaemia, malnutrition,
recurrent bronchial catarrh, and rickets. The beneficial
result of convalescence in such cases can be attributed to the
several factors which enter into the methods of a convalescent
home for children, viz., fresh air, a well-balanced diet, regular
routine and daily rest, with early bed-time. The last named
factor is too often neglected in the home-life of the young child,
resulting in nervousness, irritability, and excitability.
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