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
Wimbledon 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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An indication of the treatment carried out through this Clinic is given hereunder:—
| Number of children referred for in-patient treatment at Pyrford | _ |
| Number of children referred to St. Thomas's Hospital for in-patient treatment | 2 |
| Number of children referred to St. Thomas's Hospital for out-patient treatment | 5 |
| Number of children referred to St. Thomas's Hospital for X-ray examination | 2 |
| Number of children transferred to P.D. Schools | — |
| Number of children referred for alterations to surgical boots, etc. | 19 |
| Number of children referred for exercises and massage at the Health Centre | 39 |
| Total | 67 |
The orthopaedic nurse attended seventy-seven sessions at
the Health Centre in order to carry out the remedial exercises
and massage. Thirty-nine children were referred by the
orthopædic surgeon for such treatment. Five hundred and
four attendances were made. The average number of children
attending at each session for exercise and massage was 6.5.
The volume of work at the Orthopaedic Clinic has remained
about the same as in previous years.
Cases requiring prolonged treatment are sent to Pyrford.
No new cases were sent into this institution during 1938. Two
children, however, remained under treatment, having been
admitted the previous year. One of these was a girl suffering
from septic osteomyelitis of the femur. The other case was a
girl with severe spinal curvature. Both received extensive
surgical treatment. This latter patient had made sufficient
progress to allow of her discharge home in November. She
attained the age of sixteen years the following month and was
referred to the Surrey Voluntary Association for the Care of
Cripples.
Children who only require a short period in hospital for
operative treatment are referred to St. Thomas's Hospital.
Two boys were referred from the Orthopaedic Clinic for inpatient
treatment at this hospital, one with congenital
torticollis and the other with trigger thumb. In addition, five
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