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 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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In 1948 no children were treated under the Council's Scheme by X-rays for ringworm of the scalp.
Three children under 5 years of age were treated under the Council's Scheme for the removal of Nævi.
REPORT OF THE OPHTHALMIC SURGEON TO THE COUNCIL:
B. R. Medlycott, D.O.M.S., M.B., B.S. (Lond.), M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., Ophthalmic Surgeon to the
Council.
Mr. Medlycott visits each health centre weekly.
Statistics:
Total annual attendances: 1948, 3,115; 1947, 3,425; 1946, 3,181; 1945, 2,986.
Analysis:
| Health Centre | Maternity and Child Welfare | School-children | Total | Number of Sessions | Average Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 87 | 901 | 988 | 46 | 21.5 |
| 2 | 216 | 818 | 1,034 | 49 | 21.1 |
| 3 | 161 | 932 | 1,093 | 46 | 23.8 |
Refractions:
| Health Centre | Without Mydriatic | With Mydriatic | Percentage Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appointments made | Appointments kept | |||
| 1 | 338 | 88 | 84 | 95.5 |
| 2 | 386 | 111 | 96 | 86.5 |
| 3 | 351 | 113 | 105 | 92.9 |
The inauguration of the National Health Service on July 5th, 1948, and the simultaneous handing over
of the administration of the three Willesden Health Centres to the Middlesex County Council, has brought
about several alterations affecting the Ophthalmic Clinics at these Centres.
Firstly, an optician is no longer in attendance at each session. Free choice of optician remains as in the
past. Prescriptions for spectacles, when received from the Middlesex Executive Council, are handed by the
parent to the optician of their choice for dispensing.
Secondly, children now receive a much better free issue spectacle, the choice being the same as for the
adult population, but unfortunately the delay in supply and for replacements is just as long.
Thirdly, nursing and expectant mothers, as well as children under the age of five, no longer attend the
Ophthalmic Clinics. There is danger under this ruling that young children with concomitant squints may
fail to receive occlusion at the most vital and advantageous age.
Fourthly, as a dispenser is no longer in attendance, supplies of drugs are ordered direct from Allen &
Hanburys Ltd., ready made up in small quantities suitable for issue to the patient.
UNCLEANLINESS AND SCABIES:
Treatment of Scabies and Lice at the Willesden Isolation Hospital Treatment Centre:
| No. of New Cases treated | Total No. of Attendances | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For Scabies | For Lice and Nits | Total | For Scabies | For Lice and Nits | Total | ||
| Children under 5 years | 92 | 38 | 130 | 3111 | 40 | 351 | |
| Children 5-14 years | 172 | 258 | 430 | 760† | 284 | 1,045 | |
| Adults | Men | 100 | 14 | 114 | 797‡ | 103 | 900 |
| Women | 164 | 75 | 239 | ||||
| Totals | 528 | 385 | 913 | 1,869 | 427 | 2,296 | |
* 7 of these attendances were made for the inspection of contacts who on inspection were found not to be
suffering. Such contacts, nevertheless, generally receive treatment.
†13 of these attendances were made for the inspection of contacts who on inspection were found not to be
suffering. Such contacts, nevertheless, generally receive treatment.
‡31 of these attendances were made for the inspection of contacts who on inspection were found not to be
suffering. Such contacts, nevertheless, generally receive treatment.