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
Willesden 1906
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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71
parents. Measles, for instance, hitherto treated slightingly with
the most disastrous results, is increasingly respected, and medical
men are consulted with much greater frequency with regard to
ailments requiring skilled care, which, in the past, were greatly
neglected.
This is well illustrated if the proportion of cases of measles
and whooping cough treated by a doctor in each of the three
years is compared.
Percentage of cases attended by medical men :
| 1904. | 1905. | 1906. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measles | 37 per cent. | 56 per cent. | 58 per cent. |
| Whooping cough | 38 | 54 „ | 47 „ |
It is hoped during the ensuing year further to improve in the
details of the scheme for the hygienic control of schools.
The supervision of the health conditions of nearly 25,000
children is an undertaking of great magnitude. Health is of
primary importance to education, yet how disproportionately it
is regarded may be judged by the relative cost of these two
interests. The whole of the work relating to the health of
scholars is undertaken as a part of the work of the relatively
small staff of the Public Health Department. While I am of
opinion that it should always remain a branch of public health
administration, I think also that the great advantages to education
resulting from this province of work deserve some recognition
and assistance at the hands of the Education Authority.
£ 2