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 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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142
Vision.—The results of vision testing are noted in the
following Table, No. 101:—
Table No. 101.
| Boys. | Girls. | |
|---|---|---|
| i No. of observations | 3190 | 2947 |
| 2 Both eyes normal | 1931 = 60.5 per cent. | 1351 =45.8 per cent. |
| 3 Only one eye normal | 345 = 10.8 „ | 245= 8.3 „ |
| 4 Both eyes 6/9 | 516=16.2 ,, | 819 = 27.8 „ |
| 5 i One eye 6/9 ; other 6/12 or less | 153= 4.8 „ | 140= 4.7 „ |
| 6 Both eyes 6/12 or less | 245= 7.7 „ | 392= 13.3 „ |
All children in classes 5 and 6 above should have spectacles.
This means that 930 children out of a total of
6,137 or over 15 per cent. of the children attending the
public elementary schools require glasses. Parents in some
instances obtained the necessary spectacles at their own
cost, and 87 pairs were ordered by the Education Committee,
during the year ending 31st July, 1913.
From the foregoing figures it will be observed that a
considerable number of children although requiring glasses
do not obtain them, and I was asked to report on the matter
during the year. Thiis Report appears as Appendix E to
the present Report.