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What can be the cause of this relapsing illness? We do not know. It seems certain
that it is neither rheumatic fever, nor any other recognised "rheumatism" of childhood or
adult life. It produces no disability, leads to no sequelae, lacks all complications. It
is just a great nuisance. A meaningless, pointless pain. The condition used to be called
"growing pains" - but nobody nowadays believes that it hurts to grow, and this cause has
been dropped. The modern title for the disease is "the night starting pains of childhood"
which is aptly descriptive, and makes no pretence at explaining something we do not yet
understand. The majority of parents realise that the child is not ill - in most cases the
pains have been bothering him for at least 6 months before the consultation, but want to be
sure that he Is not suffering from rheumatic fever. As a general rule this assurance Is
readily forth coming; It is much easier to say what this disease Is not, than to define what
it is.
Through the kindness of Doctor A.S. Craner, Radiologist at Queen Mary's Hospital,
Stratford, I am now able to send my patients there for x-ray. This is much more convenient
for them than the journey to Whipps Cross. For pathological services, however, I am still
dependent on that hospital, and I am grateful to Doctor W.W. Walther for allowing me the full
use of his laboratory. I should like to thank the Assistant Medical Officers for referring
the children to me, and the family doctors who permit them to do so.
The paediatrlc clinics are administered by the West Ham Group of the Hospital Management
Committee but are held on the West Ham Education Committee premises as follows
Stratford School Clinic,
84, West Ham Lane, E.15. Thursday from 1.30 to 5.15 p.m.
Rosetta School Clinic,
Sophia Road, Wednesday from 1.30 to 5.15 p.m.
Custom House, E.l6. (every fortnight)
IXiring the year 55 school children made 291 attendances at the paedlatric clinics.
THE WEST HAM CHILD GUIDANCE CLINIC
This clinic is held at the Credon Road School, Plaistow, E.13., and is open dally
(Monday to Friday) from 9.0 a.m. to 5.15 P.m.
Report by
Dr. Elizabeth Whatley, M.B. , B.S.,
Consultant Psychiatrist
STAFF CHANGES
During this year the number of psychiatric sessions decreased from 7 to 4, as both
Dr. Runes and Dr. Whatley had to reduce their attendance at the Clinic. In October it was
learned that Dr. Khan had been appointed as Medical Director of the Child Guidance Clinic
and Consultant Psychiatrist to the Public Health Department, and would commence work in
January, 1960. This is very satisfactory for many reasons, and is the outcome of much
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