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13
This School accommodate 950 inmates from the parishes
of Lewisham, Richmond, Wandsworth and Clapham, Croydon,
Chelsea, and Kensington.
It has been the practice of late to admit sick children from
some of the Unions, (others very properly refusing to send
such children), direct to the Infirmary of the School.
During a space of three years 246 sick children were
admitted from the Unions direct to the Infirmary attached to
the School.
Again, children of a much more tender age have been
received than formerly, and during the last year, 111 infants
3 years of age and under were admitted to the establishment.
The practice of admitting children in a state of disease
to a School, is, in my opinion, a system to be deprecated; and
whether or not infants of a tender age should be admitted to
on establishment of this kind, is a matter for serious consideration.
During the year, contagious opthalmia, whooping cough,
measles, and small-pox have been endemic at these Schools,
besides the ordinary occurrence of scalp disease and itch.
Measles destroyed 3 lives in January and February,
small-pox destroyed 3 lives in March and April, whilst 4
deaths occurred from typhoid fever.
Small-pox attacked 38 of the inmates in March and
April.
No efficient disinfecting apparatus, (of the utmost importance
in such an establishment,) existed at the School, and
the supply of water at the Infirmary was deficient in
quantity.
The ventilation of the dormitories is defective.
The drainage of the building is defective. Contrary to
sound principle, the main drain runs through the building
under the dining hall. This drain is too small for its purpose,
and the contents, under certain circumstances, are apt to
regurgitate. It was proposed when the chapel and dining
hall were being rebuilt, that this cardinal detect should be
remedied, but no alteration in this respect was made.