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 1909
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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School—GIBBONS ROAD (Provided).
| Average number of Children on Roll | 1,293 | ||
| Number of Children medically inspected | 667 | ||
| Number of Parents objecting | 9 | ||
| INFANTS. | BOYS. | GIRLS. | |
| Assistant School Medical Officer | W. Bell, l.r.c.p. | Mi xed. C. W. Cooke, m.d. | |
| Head Teacher | Miss Houghton | E. J. Sai nsbury. | |
| Accommodation | 1909 1910 418 No Alt. | 1909 800 | 1910 No Alt. |
| Average No. on Roll | 439 | 457 | 397 |
| Time per Inspection | eight minutes | nine minutes | nine minutes. |
| No. referred for subsequent examination | 26 | (sex not stated) | |
| No. to whom directions for treatment given | 22 | 114 | (sex not stated) |
| No referred to S.M.O. as suitable For visiting by L.H. Visitor | 47 | 5 | 36 |
Comments of A.S.M.O.—Dr. Cooke says that " in addition to the nine
minutes per child which his inspection occupies, the teacher spends
about ten minutes per child in measuring, weighing, examining
eyes, and clerical work." In addition, he has inspected at least
200 children referred to him by the head teacher, who do not
appear in the returns. He has been agreeably surprised to find
what a particularly healthy lot of children he has had to inspect.
He says, "I think the matter which requires most urgent attention
is that of the teeth, I have seen a few perfect mouths, but not
many. The children's heads have improved in cleanliness to a very
great extent during the last few months. I find that very little
attention is paid to one's recommendations as to taking advice in
such cases as adenoids, defective eyes, etc. A certain number of
parents who take an interest in their children have already found
out their defects, and have had them treated, the others take
absolutely no notice at all "
Type—V. Modern school, two storeys.
Site—Open, low lying.
Playground—Tar paved, well drained, good condition.
Sanitary Conveniences—
Boys 8 svphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
Girls 18 syphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
i
Infants 4 syphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
Urinals—Senior Boys 42-ft. lineal, Infant Boys 22-ft. lineal.
Lavatory Basins—Boys 10, Girls 12, Infants 10.
Drinking Water—Three Water fountains with metal cups.
Class Room Walls and general Cleanliness of School—Glazed brick dado,
hard plaster above—clean.
Desks—Modern double desks.
Ligh ting—Good.
Heating—Hot water radiators.
Ventilation—Good.
Cloak Rooms—Lighting and ventilation good.