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114
to point out some of the advantages of this suggestion. At
present our schools and also various clubs and societies, collect
subscriptions, etc. in order to obtain letters for the treatment
of cases in the West Ham and other Hospitals which do
undertake the treatment of the diseases mentioned above. All
these agencies could then work for own hospital. Again,
there are numbers of people in the Borough apart from school
children suffering from various affections needing hospital
treatment, these people at present have to attend hospitals
at either West Ham, Plaistow, or London. These might all
be attended to here.
It may be urged that the local hospital cannot afford the
expense which would be necessary. With reference to this
the Council has power to make contributions to local institutions
for the treatment of" suitable cases occurring in school
children. In addition to this, not only would the hospital
receive many contributions which now go to other better
equipped institutions, but there are many pirents well able
to give a contribution towards the cost of the treatment they
need, but who cannot afford to pay the whole. Many of these
parents have no desire to accept charity, and should not be permitted
to do so; they should be expected to contribute
according to their means for the work dons for them.
This scheme would be less expensive than a School
Clinic and would also be more satisfactory, in addition to
this the value of the local hospital to the Borough would be
enormously increased. Instead of chiefly confining its energies
to minor surgical work, much of which local medical men
can well undertake, it could treat the many special conditions
which local practitioners do not undertake and which, for
want of a suitable institution, at present go unattended, to
the detriment of the sufferers, both as regards their health
and value to the community.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Information concerning notifiable Infectious Diseases
occurring in school children is sent by the Medical Officer
of Health to all head teachers.