London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Erith 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Erith]
This page requires JavaScript
55
These averages are much the same as in previous
years, with the exception of the weights of the boys at
the 2nd and 3rd inspections, which are about 3 lbs. less in
each case.
The figures are also somewhat lower than the averages
given in the tables published in the last Annual Report
of the Chief Medical Officer of the Board of Education.
Cleanliness,
| Number of Inspection. | Number inspect'd | Nits only. | Pediculi. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number. | Percent. | Number. | Per cent. | |||
| First (Entrants) | Boys | 404 | 31 | 7.6 | 3 | .7 |
| Girls | 329 | 107 | 32.5 | 4 | 1.2 | |
| Second (Age 8 years) | Boys | 277 | 23 | 8.3 | 4 | 1.4 |
| Girls | 310 | 155 | 50.0 | 10 | 3.2 | |
| Third (Age 11 years) | Boys | 284 | 25 | 8.8 | 2 | .7 |
| Girls | 297 | 150 | 50.5 | 9 | 3.0 | |
| Fourth (Leavers) | Boys | 202 | 17 | 8.4 | 1 | .5 |
| Girls | 187 | 75 | 40.1 | 1 | .53 | |
| Totals | Boys | 1167 | 96 | 8.3 | 10 | .85 |
| Girls | 1123 | 487 | 43.3 | 24 | 2.1 | |
This is an increase on the numbers found in the previous
year; it will be noticed that the percentage remains
practically constant at each inspection among the boys,
but that among the girls, those inspected at the two intermediate
ages show a very much higher percentage with
nits. There is nothing in these figures to show whether
the nits were numerous, or otherwise, but the number of
nits varied from two or three in some cases to hundreds
in others.
Every case in which pediculi were found was excluded
until it was found to be free on subsequent examination.
(b) Of Body.
There were only six children found to have pediculi
on the body—three boys and three girls. Twenty-five
boys were found to be dirty, but only ten girls.
Nutrition and Clothing.
Only 4.6 per cent. of children were found to be badly
nourished; 4.37 per cent. had unsatisfactory clothing.