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
Ilford 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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91
Ilford Enuresis Clinic.
Dr. J. Pooley, School Medical Officer, makes the following report for
the 12 months ended 31st December, 1954.
"The Clinic continues to be held at the Public Health Offices, Emerson
Road, on Wednesday mornings and attendances have continued to be
fairly good.
1. Appointment List.—During the 12 months ended December 31st, 1954, there have been 77 new cases made up as follows:—
| Recommended by | Under 5 yrs. | Over 5 yrs. | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys | Girls | Boys | Girls | ||
| Parents | — | 7 | — | 9 | |
| Private Practitioners | 2 | — | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Infant Welfare Officers | 2 | 4 | — | — | 6 |
| School Medical Officers | — | — | 30 | 18 | 48 |
| Health Visitors | 2 | — | 4 | — | 6 |
| M.O.H., Barking | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Speech Therapist | — | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| 6 | 6 | 46 | 19 | 77 | |
| 420 | |||||
| Number of Sessions | 32 | ||||
2. Procedure.—At each clinic the original procedure has been
adhered to and is as follows:—
(a) Examination of urine is carried out by Health Visitor (for
sugar, albumin reaction and specific gravity).
(b) History of enuresis is taken (including that of any relevant
illnesses).
(c) Physical examination. This has sometimes been left until the
second interview if the child has been particularly nervous or ill at
ease.
(d) The approachability of the child and the parent is noted.
(e) General advice to the child and parents is given, and in
particular, discussion is directed towards individual problems. At
these interviews, more time is spent talking to the child and gaining
his or her confidence, than in talking to the parent. It has been noted
also that suggestions given to the child, have often been acted upon
more faithfully than when more general advice has been given to the
mother. The mother has invariably been a very attentive listener, and
has more easily caught the atmosphere intended.
(/) Charting of all dry nights is explained by use of pencil and
paper for older children, and by the use of gummed coloured paper
shapes for younger children.
(g) Medicinal treatment is issued or prescribed (vide No. 3)