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Chronic otorrhoea, at one time the commonest and most intractable
condition among children attending the Aural Clinic, has now practically
disappeared from the Tottenham school population. Less than 20 cases
were reported during the year. This is, in the main, due to efficient
treatment by zinc ionization, as well as the prompt treatment of acute
otitis media and such predisposing factors as nasal catarrh, sinus infection
and unhealthy tonsils, etc. The Clinic services are now available,
also, for the treatment of children of pre-school age.
Nasal diastolisation has been continued during the year and high
frequency treatment has been added in accordance with the methods practiced
by its French exponents.
The system of Tables and Returns introduced in the 1938 Report has
been retained, and full information has been collected for this purpose,
(c) Orthopaedic Clinic - At the outbreak of the War the Orthopaedic
Clinic had, unfortunately, to be discontinued, but at the beginning
of 1940 it was resumed. Although the number of patients was less
than in peace time, the resumption of this Clinic was amply justified
by the number of attendances of new and old patients.
Owing to evacuation some of the patients drifted backwards and
forwards between London and the reception areas corresponding with the
raiding conditions obtaining at the time. Others, who were attending
London hospitals, came to the Clinic for continuation of their treatment.
Very few pases of rachitic deformity were seen during the year.
This is no doubt due to the fact rickets can be controlled by giving
adequate doses of Vitamin Di
Surgical appliances were supplied and repairs and replacements
effected in 85 instances.
(d) Provision of solid Meals & Milk - On the outbreak of War and
as a result of evacuation, the school population fell considerably.
Compulsory school instruction was temporarily in abeyance, and was replaced
for a time by Home Service Classes. There was a gradual re-opening
of schools which commenced in December 1939, but full-time school
attendance for every child Of school age was not completely restored until
early in March 1940, The meals centres, however, were opened, with the
approval of the Board of Education, immediately after evacuation in
September 1939, and continued to function even though the schools themselves
were closed. The Nutrition Clinics were resumed twice weekly, a
fortnight after the outbreak of War, and a constant survey of the school
population for evidence of malnutrition has been maintained during 1940.
In February 1940, the reconstruction of the Page Green Central
Kitchens was authorised by the Board of Education, and the facilities for
the provision of meals were greatly increased. However, the number of
children having free meals in August, fell to 425, as against 1750 in
July 1939.
In August 1940, a centralised scheme for the cooking and distribution
of meals was put into operation. Numerous difficulties were encountered
however. Heavy raiding occurred about this time, and the
average attendances at school fell steeply. Many parents and children
were rendered homeless, and were housed and fed temporarily in Rest
Centres. The machinery of the Local Education Committee for the provision
of school meals, was used for this purpose, and 1000 meals a day for homeless
persons had, on certain occasions, to be provided. However, feeding
of necessitous children in school continued without interruption.
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