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
Ealing 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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Orthodontic appliances were fitted for 37 children, six more
than were fitted in 1942. The total number of attendances made
for adjustments of these new appliances and also for children who
had been fitted in the previous year was 391.
Other operations were, as already stated, temporary dressings
to relieve toothache in the temporary teeth, scaling of permanent
teeth, gum treatment in certain conditions of the mouth, and other
minor operations on the teeth. A total of 1,271 attendances were
made for this class of work.
Orthopaedic Treatment.—The Orthopaedic Surgeon attended
the Mattock Lane Health Centre once every month in 1943.
The Masseuse attended on "five sessions each week.
The work of the Orthopaedic Clinic during the year may be summarised as follows :—
Orthopaedic Clinic.
| - | School children | Children under five | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attendances by Surgeon | __ | - | 12 |
| Number of children seen for first time | 103 | 101 | 204 |
| . Total number of children examined | 359 | 252 | 611 |
| Attendances by Masseuse | - | - | 232 |
| Number of cases treated | 107 | 56 | 163 |
| Number of attendances by children | 1,026 | 508 | 1,534 |
| Children admitted to hospital for special treatment | 10 | 5 | 15 |
| Children supplied with special boots or surgical appliances | 31 | 6 | 37 |
Defective Speech.—Children with speech defects attended
the special classes at Mattock Lane and Ravenor Park Health Centres
held by Miss R. Bennett until the 30th April, when she resigned.
The classes were then discontinued.
It was then decided to obtain a full-time Speech Therapist
to deal in an adequate manner with all the children with speech
defects. Miss D. Bissell was appointed and commenced her duties
on the 22nd November. All children attending elementary schools
with any speech defect were then seen by Miss Bissell and arrangements
were made for the parents to be interviewed by her since the
co-operation of the parents at home is essential for these children
to obtain full benefit of the training they receive at their classes.