§ Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether there has been any increase in recent years in the incidence of rheumatism among school children; whether such increase is pronounced in any parts of Wales; and whether any special attention is being given to the problem?
Mr. LindsayThere does not appear to be any reliable statistical evidence of an increase in the incidence of rheumatism in school children either in England or in Wales. Owing to the difficulty of diagnosis the returns of school medical officers vary considerably from one area to another. The percentages of children with organic heart disease, which is in the main due to rheumatism, are higher in Wales than in England but have remained practically stationary during the last four years, and there is no evidence of an increase in mortality due to this cause. I am glad to say that, following the pioneer example in Wales of Cardiff, some other authorities in Wales are providing special hospital schools for rheumatic children, and supervisory rheumatic centres. Provision of this kind is very desirable.