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resulting from attacks of acute rheumatism, leading to different grades
of invalidity, surely it is incumbent upon us to help and guide the
parents of such children by providing information so that children will
not be sent to the wrong occupation? For example, a boy with
"rheumatic heart" should not be made a coal heaver or a furniture
remover. Think of the suffering and the loss of life and loss to the
State from such mistakes. Lists of suitable occupations should be
provided to the parents of such cases.
A Central Office.
There is an organisation required, a central bureau or office, an
intelligence staff, small, but competent, which could keep in active
touch with hospitals in the city and convalescent homes in the country,
with parents in the houses and their sick or recovered children, which
could supervise and direct propaganda and syllabuses of popular
lectures.
Treatment of Local Foci of Disease.
Sometimes a local focus or infection in the body has led to the
rheumatic heart disease in children. For example, acute tonsilitis has
undoubtedly been the starting point of many a rheumatic heart. In
children it is wise, therefore, to remove enlarged tonsils if these are
diseased. Unhealthy tonsils in rheumatic children should be removed
as there is a risk of rheumatic heart disease if they are retained.
Summary of Argument.
To sum up the steps which would be of service; these are:—
1. Improvement in medical instruction.
2, Education of the public, particularly parents and school teachers,
by propaganda and lectures.
3. Further investigation into the incidence of chorea in London.
4. Auxiliary country hospitals with a special department for cardiac
children.
5. A schedule of suitable occupations for cardiac children.
6. A central bureau for purposes of organisation. In the far future
an institution for research into and the study of rheumatism.
7. Discreet treatment of local foci.