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73
tion gives rise to but few symptoms, if any, and this is
no doubt the reason why comparatively few children
show signs of active and clearly recognisable disease.
Moreover, repeated small infections tend to create an
individual resistance which is probably of the highest
benefit in later years.
The number of children on the Dispensary Register
is considerable, but the great majority are only slightly
infected, and make satisfactory progress under ordinary
Dispensary supervision without any special treatment.
For those who require more active measures, institutional
treatment in Sanatoria, Surgical Homes or
•Convalescent Homes can be provided through the
London County Council or the Public Assistance Committee
(the successor of the former Board of Guardians).
This will, in most cases, tend to cause arrest of
the disease and most of these children are afterwards
sent on to Special schools according to their specific
disability.
From Fulham, Chelsea and Hammersmith, many
gland and a few pulmonary cases are referred to the
Elizabethan Open-air School, which is situated in
Broomhouse Lane.
This institution has accommodation for about sixty
boys and girls, amongst whom are many whose condition
has never been sufficiently serious to necessitate their
being sent away, or whose parents are unwilling to
allow them to leave home. These school-children (who
attend as day-scholars) are under constant supervision
by one of the Dispensary Nurses: and the Tuberculosis
Officer for the Borough is in medical charge, making a
weekly inspection at which a number of children are
examined in rotation, all the children being thus seen
every five or six weeks.
Classes are held under open-air conditions, and
when fine, accommodation is provided in two specially