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for those in need, that there shall be instruction in the elementary
laws of health and that epidemic and preventable diseases which
account for so terrible a waste of life, health and national resources
shall be prevented. No doubt a very considerable increase in
medical knowledge is necessary before such conditions as rheumatism,
measles, influenza and whooping cough follow cholera, plague and
typhus into the category of diseases which no longer cause suffering
and death in this country. But even with the limited resources
at the disposal of the Local Authority, and our real ignorance as
regards such diseases as measles, a great deal can be done, and in
the year 1930 the Council's scheme for co-operation with the School
Authorities as regards measles showed a very encouraging return
for the expenditure incurred, as can be seen from the description
on page 104.
Particularly is extension required in the services for the care
of children between the ages of one and five years. Since the age
period between one and five does not receive sufficient attention,
considerable damage is done before children attend school. Medical
Inspection of Children below school age reveals many defective
conditions which, generally speaking, will not receive attention
until school age is reached. This inspection can be conveniently
carried out in clinics held in connection with the usual maternity
and child welfare work. To quote from a report concerning two
such clinics recently opened:—
"Out of 362 children examined in these centres, there were discovered
62 cases of dental caries, 36 of tonsils and adenoids, 36 of rickets, 5 of ear
discharge, 15 of impetigo, 14 of bronchitis, 18 of anorexia, 14 of malnutrition
and 14 of debility. Mortality tables of children of this age further show
that quite a considerable number die from accident, scalds and burns, in
addition to the ordinary varieties of diseases from which children of all ages
suffer, and which are obviously preventable."
Clinics of this description are required in Hackney. Joint
Treatment Centres are required for these children and school
children. Such a centre is already in action at Woolwich and in
the absence of such centres years may pass before treatment is
obtained for children of the pre-school period. Nursery Schools
are particularly necessary in crowded districts where the only
playground is the sidewalk and gutter. Since 1923 the Council
have been endeavouring to bring about the establishment of nursery
schools in the Borough. On the 10th April, 1923, the Council
sent a deputation to attend a conference at Islington on the subject,
and at various times since that date the matter has been considered.
On March 6th, 1929, the Ministry of Health informed the Borough
Council, who wished to establish such a school, that the County
Council is the responsible authority in this respect, and the County
Council was accordingly informed that the Borough Council were
prepared to co-operate with them in the establishment of a nursery