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
Enfield 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Enfield]
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70
VERMIN.
Of 3,378 children examined at Routine Inspection, 15 were
found to have vermin in their hair, and 279 had nits—i.e., 8.7 per
cent. had unclean heads.
No child was found to have body vermin.
THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL NURSES.
There are four school nurses. One is attached to each of the
three Treatment Clinics, which she attends daily for the treatment
of minor ailments; one or them is also in charge of the Aural Clinic.
Each nurse is responsible for the following up of children attending
her clinic, for the cleanliness of the scholars attending the schools
which feed her clinic, and for any visits to those schools besides
those for head inspections. In addition to these duties, two of the
school nurses attend in turn at the Routine Medical Inspection to
assist the Medical Officer. The fourth nurse is employed mainly
on dental work assisted by a clerk.
The following is a summary of the work of the school nurses during 1934 and for the past five years
| 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of home visits | 3,062 | 2,603 | 2,298 | 2,943 | 2,697 |
| Number of school visits | 390 | 387 | 377 | 621 | 559 |
| Number of school visits for routine examination of heads | 212 | 216 | 220 | 220 | 195 |
| Total number of heads examined | 36,255 | 38,228 | 37,469 | 39,154 | 37,303 |
TREATMENT CLINICS.
Minor Ailment Clinics are held at the three Centres. The
Assistant School Medical Officer attends one clinic each week at
each centre. In addition, the school nurses hold a daily clinic at
each of the three centres. Every new case attending the nurses'
clinics during the week is seen by the Assistant School Medical
Officer at her next visit.
The number of children that attended the minor ailment
clinics during 1934 was 3,188 and the total number of attendances
was 19,886. The average attendance at the nurses' clinics was 34
(i.e., 102 per day for the three clinics). At the School Medical
Officer's Clinic the average attendance was 41.
All children leaving school are given a medical examination
early during their last term, so that defects may be remedied before
they leave. The result of this examination is entered upon a special
card which is sent to the Juvenile Employment Committee.