London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bexley 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
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The special "Keystone" vision screening test continued to be used extensively throughout the Borough in 1970. The majority of those failing this test were added to the 599 shown above giving the following totals : —
| 1969 | 1970 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of cases of external and other eye conditions excluding errors of refraction and squint known to have been dealt with | 115 | 350 |
| Number of cases of errors of refraction including squint known to have been dealt with | 2,000 | 2,903 |
| Total | 2,115 | 3,253 |
The number of pupils for whom spectacles were prescribed was 1,081 (910 in 1969).
The detailed results of tests carried out using the "Keystone" apparatus are as follows: —
| 1969 | 1970 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of children tested | 10,363 | 8,842 |
| No. of children passed | 8,762 | 7,471 |
| No. of children failed | 1,515 | 1,371 |
| Failed distant vision | 1,111 | 889 |
| Failed near vision | 542 | 484 |
| Failed muscle balance | 632 | 493 |
| Failed depth | 423 | 507 |
| Failed colour vision | 74 | 111 |
| No. for retesting | 2,585 | 1,977 |
| No. of children referred to School Medical Officer | 140 | 65 |
NOTE: Cuts in the electricity supply during the Autumn of 1970 were responsible for the reductions
in the number of tests.
Vision screening tests were carried out on entry to school and between 6 and 7 years, 8 and
9 years and between 10 and 11 years. Colour-vision tests were given to boys and girls at the age of
10 years.
All these routine tests were performed by a clinic nurse who specialises in this work. She
refers children who fail the test to the school medical officers for further examination. Further
referral to one of the four ophthalmic clinics or to hospital may then be made.
The following 91 ear, nose and throat conditions requiring treatment were found : —
| Defective | Hearing | Otitis Media | Other Conditions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 1970 | 1969 | 1970 | 1969 | 1970 | |
| Entrants | 44 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 6 | 15 |
| Leavers | 2 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| Others | 33 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 1 |
| Nose & Throat | 56 | 36 | 22 | 12 | 31 | 12 |