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
Willesden 1909
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
This page requires JavaScript
bright, intelligent and well nourished. The proportion of verminous
heads is astonishingly small. The greatest trouble I have to deal
with is defective eyesight and teeth, but even in these cases I find
the parents willing and anxious to do the best they can for their
children's welfare."
Type—VI. Modern school, central hall, three storeys.
Site—Open.
Playground—Tar paved, well drained, good condition.
Sanitary Conveniences—
Boys 7 syphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
Girls 10 syphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
Infants 9 syphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
Urinals—Senior Boys 32-ft. lineal, Infant Boys 32-ft. lineal. 1
Lavatory Basins—Boys 9, Girls 10, Infants 8.
Drinking Water—Two water fountains with metal cups.
Class Room Walls and genera} Cleanliness of School—Glazed brick dado,
hard plaster above—clean.
Desks—Modern double desks.
Lighting—Good.
Heating—Hot water pipes and radiators.
V entilation—Good.
Cloak Rooms—Lighting and ventilation good.
Comments of A.S.M.O.—Dr. Waithman reports the condition of the
school as regards clothing and cleanliness to be excellent. He says:
"The parents have fully appreciated and keenly made use of all
suggestions that have been made with regard to the welfare of
their children, and have been wishful to follow out the same."
Ul
tn
School HARVIST ROAD (Provided).
| Average number of Children on Roll | 1,422 | ||
| Number of Children medically inspected | 572 | ||
| Number of Parents objecting | 13 | ||
| INFANTS. | BOYS. | GIRLS. | |
| Assistant School Medical Officer | J. Waithman, m.a., m. d. | T. Wilson, f.r.c.s., Ireland. | J. Spurway, m.b. |
| Head Teacher | Mrs. E. Morrall | W. Dowel ell. | Miss S. Gledhill. |
| Accommodation | 1909 1910 470 440 | 1909 1910 460 No alt. | 1909 1910 400 No alt. |
| Average No. on Roll | 518 | 471 | 433 |
| Time per Inspection | ten minutes | ten minutes | ten minutes |
| No. referred for subsequent examination | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| No. to whom directions for treatment given ... | 7o | MS | 54 |
| No. referred to S.M.O. as suitable for visiting by L.H. Visitor | 6 | 3 | none |
Comments of A.S.M.O.—Dr. Wilson remarks: "The boys are clean,
and almost free from skin disease, and suitably clad in warm
garments. The boots are of good quality. The following diseases are
prevalent in the school, heart disease, chorea, adenoids, and enlarged
tonsils. In each case suitable act'on has been taken and the parents
Informed, either verbally or by letter, of the condition of the child."
Dr. Spurwav says: "The parents on the whole seem very interested
in this work and pleased to have their children examined. The
school is a remarkably healthy one, the girls rosy and well developed,