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

Heston and Isleworth 1911

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]

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Table: External Eye Diseases.

External Eye Diseases.

Boys entering.Boys leaving.Girls enteringGirls leaving.
No. of observations171362125315
Blepharitis5664
Conjunctivitis...1...1
Strabismus3...33
Cyst of upper lid.........1
Opacity of Cornea2.........
Vision.Boys leaving.Girls leaving.
No. of observations362315
Both eyes normal319250
Only one eye normal2223
Both eyes6/817
One eye 6/8, other 6/12 or less69
Both eyes 6/8 or less1426
No. wearing spectacles811

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From the above table as regards vision, it will be seen that
677 children were tested and that 108 were found to suffer from
defective eyesight. In my opinion, 55 of these children were in
real need of spectacles and yet it was found that only 19 children
had them to wear.
The enormous disadvantage that a child is at from the
educational standpoint who is unable to see quickly and accurately,
is a matter to be borne in mind. The suffering too, of the individual
who is the subject of constant eye-strain, requires likewise
to be appreciated, as also the fact that strain on the growing
eye distorts its shape and causes a progressive loss of acuity of
vision.
Other Abnormal Conditions.

Table: The following table gives a list of children found suffering from other abnormal conditions as below, during medical inspection:—

The following table gives a list of children found suffering from other abnormal conditions as below, during medical inspection:—

Diseases of the lungs— Bronchitis24
Consumption4
Forward28