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
West Ham 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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There is certainly room for another Special School in the
Borough. Entrance examinations are held, and cases are seen
as they arise.
Work in connection with After-Care Committees consists of
(1) Interviews with parents and children by Head Teachers.
(2) Investigations by two After-Care Committees in each half of
the Borough.
(3) Visits of Mr. Tarr, the Juvenile Employment Officer and
Secretary of the After-Care Committee.
BLIND CHILDREN.
The Authority itself has no provision for the education of
blind or semi-blind children—a few of the latter attend the Special
Schools. The question of Myopic Classes is still under consideration.
The following is a list of Institutions where West Ham children are boarded :—
| Barclay Home for Blind, Brighton | 5 girls |
| Brighton School for Blind Bovs | 7 boys |
| East London School for Blind | 4 boys, 1 girl |
| Swiss Cottage for Blind | 3 boys |
| Caterham Mental Hospital | 1 girl (M.D.) |
| Forest Gate Sick Home | 1 boy (M.D.) |
| White Oak School, Swanlev | 1 girl |
| Eight blind or partially blind children are not placed. | |
DEAF CHILDREN.
The Authority has Deaf Centres at Water Lane and Frederick
Road with places for 40 and 44 deaf mutes respectively. These
schools are visited annually by an Assistant School Medical Officer,
and arrangements made for an annual examination by a
Specialist Aural Surgeon.
A few of the cases belong to the partially deaf class, and one
or two are aphasic cases. Children from outside areas are admitted
by arrangement with the Local Education Authority, when
vacant places permit.
Institutional cases :—
Royal School for Deaf and Dumb, Margate, 3 girls.
St. John's Institution, Boston Spa, 1 boy.
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