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Physiotherapy.
Three of the Local Authority Clinic premises are equipped for sunlight therapy. A
qualified Physiotherapist is in charge of the service, and in addition to children under
the age of 5 years, school children are also seen at these clinics. Exercises, and when
necessary massage, can be given if prescribed by a medical officer. Prom time to time
the Consultant Paediatrician also refers suitable cases such as asthma, cerebral palsy,
etc. Details of the treatment provided during the year are as follows:-

The previous arrangements for children to receive treatment at the Children's Hospital,
Balaam Street, Plaistow, were not entirely superceded by the facilities now available in
the Council's own premises, and during the year 12 children were referred to the hospital
for treatment.
Handicapped Children.
Health Visitors and medical officers have been asked to take all possible steps
to ensure that children who are likely to become "handicapped" should be detected and
reported to the Senior Assistant Medical Officer at a very early stage. Such children
who by the age of two still seem to be likely to come within the "handicapped" cat-egory
are then referred to the School Health Service for ascertainment. The Senior Assistant
Medical Officer also endeavours to take the necessary steps to see that these children
receive adequate help and treatment, and to co-ordinate the various services such as
general practitioner, hospital, paediatrician and voluntary organisations who may be
interested in the child. On 31st December, 1952, this department was aware of the
following children under five who might come within the handicapped category:-
Aged 4-5 years 13
" 3-4 " 9
" 2-3 " 3
" 1-2 " 8
Under 1 year 1
Of these, six had actually been ascertained by the School Medical Officers. Plans
for a Day Spastic Unit have been accepted and it is hoped that building will soon commence.
This Unit will be available for children under five as well as for school children and
should be extremely valuable in training mothers to give every possible help to these children.
Liaison with general Practitioners.
No' request for assistance at clinics held by general practitioners in their own
premises has been received and no general practitioners are employed at the Child Welfare
Centres, except for occasional locum work and at the Voluntary Centre at Avenons Road. By
agreement with their general practitioners children may be referred direct from the
Infant Welfare Clinics for specialist opinion and a copy of the Specialist's report is
sent to the general practitioner.
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