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
Walthamstow 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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(b) National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.—The following is a summary of the work done in Walthamstow during 1949:—
| Nature of Offence | How dealt with | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neglect | 40 | Warned | 44 | |
| Ill-treatment | 4 | Advised | 19 | |
| Advice sought | 19 | 63 | ||
| 63 | ||||
| Under 5 years | Over 5 years | |||
| Boys | Girls | Boys | Girls | |
| 39 | 36 | 50 | 42 | |
152 supervisory visits and 147 miscellaneous visits were made
during the year.
HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
(i) School for the Partially Sighted.—The following table shows the classification of children at the end of the year:—
| Walthamstow Pupils | Essex County Pupils | Out-County Pupils | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blind | Partially Sighted | Blind | Partially Sighted | Blind | Partially Sighted | |
| Boys | . — | 8 | — | 3 | — | 13 |
| Girls | 2 | 6 | 1 | — | 1 | 10 |
Mr. G. M. Williams, the Head Teacher, reports as follows:—
It will be noticed that the word "blind" has disappeared
from the official title of the School. The four children so classified
are all awaiting entry into Residential Blind Schools and in future
the School will only cater for Partially Sighted cases.
The revolutionary change of medical opinion as to the necessity
for restrictions previously imposed in respect of the use of
the printed letter and in limitation of the physical training syllabus
has caused us to examine and adjust our teaching techniques and
methods. A wider use of printed books, exercise books, pens and
pencils has now been introduced, and in this connection a regular
supply of books from the school library has been much appreciated.
In the early part of the year eighteen of the latest type of reading
lenses were supplied and have been used almost exclusively by the
senior class. (Some observations on the use of these lenses are
given at the end of this report.)