London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hornsey 1921

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hornsey, Borough of]

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could be done in larger numbers and with greater safety at a
hospital, where it would be possible to detain the children for
24 hours after the operation.
Defective Hearing.—Cases of chronic otorrhæa are treated
at the School Clinic, and these take up a large part of the time
of the school nurse. During the year under review 103 children
with ear discharge attended on 1,958 occasions at the Clinic.
Defective Vision.—Children who are found to be suffering
from defective vision are treated at the School Clinic and
examined by the Assistant School Medical Officer who prescribes
for them the necessary glasses and gives what other treatment
is necessary. This arrangement has worked very satisfactorily
during the year, and 526 children attended on 1,627 occasions for
examination and treatment.
Dental Diseases.—Two part-time dentists are employed by
the Committee to examine and to treat children who have defective
teeth and oral sepsis. During the year they have done much
good work. Details of their examinations and treatments are
given in Table IV. D.
Rheumatism and Heart Disease.—The majority of cases of
heart disease discovered during the year did not appear to be in
need of treatment. In certain cases directions regarding the
child's general health were given to the parents.
Bronchitis and Pre-tuberculosis.—Apart from general instructions
to parents and the administration of cod liver oil and
malt, it was not possible to do much for this group of ailing
children. Some individual cases were referred to the Tuberculosis
Officer. The best treatment for children with chronic
bronchitis and "strumous" conditions is education in an openair
school.
Tuberculosis.—Children discovered to be suffering from
active tuberculosis were in all instances referred for advice and
treatment to the Tuberculosis Officer.
Ringworm.—The skin infection is treated at the School
clinic. Children with ringworm of the scalp are referred for