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
Hammersmith 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]
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Medical Examination of Council's Staff
During the year I have continued to carry out the duties of Staff Medical
adviser to the Council,
Every new entrant to the service is required to undergo a medical examination,
including a chest X-ray, in order to find whether he or she is
fit to be admitted to the Council's Superannuation and/or Sick Pay scheme.
In the case of Officers this examination takes place on appointment and in
the case of Servants after six months' service with the Council.
In addition to this, medical examinations are conducted in all cases
where the prescribed "sick leave with pay" has been exceeded. The Council
in many such instances makes up sick pay for further periods to bring employees
back to good health.
The total number of first examinations carried out during the year was 286. and of this number 61 were found to be unfit for the following reasons:-
| Hypertension | 23 | Mitral Stenosis | 1 |
| L.I. Hernia | 2 | Left Hydrocele | 1 |
| Bilaterial Hernia | 2 | Varicose Veins & Eczema | 3 |
| Petit Mai | 2 | Chronic Otorrhoea | 2 |
| Glycosuria | 4 | Deafness & Fixation of Left Elbow | 1 |
| Chest condition | 5 | ||
| Cardiac history | 1 | Obesity? Glandular | 1 |
| History of pulmonary tuberculosis | 2 | Bilateral Leucotomy | 1 |
| War Wound | 1 | ||
| Peptic Ulcer | 1 | Defective vision | 3 |
| Median Nerve Palsy | 1 | Epilepsy | 1 |
| Urethral Dilatation | 1 | History of Haematuria | 1 |
| Old tubercular Left Ankle1 | |||
At the beginning of 1953 the Council decided to put into operation a
scheme for streamlining sick leave arrangements
The scheme worked smoothly and satisfactorily and during the year 98
examinations were carried out by the Department.
Financial Contributions to Voluntary Organisations
Subscriptions to the funds of voluntary bodieswere, on the recommendation of the Health committee, made by the Council during the year as follows: -
| Organisation | Amount | Statutory Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Central Council for Health Education | £ll,11,0 | Public Health (London) Act, 1936 Section 298 |
| National Smoke Abatement Society | £12, 12,0 | Public Health (London) Act, 1936 Section 298 Local Government Act 1948 Section 136 |