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
Hornsey 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hornsey, Borough of]
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At the end of the year plans were well advanced for the opening
of a small class for three or four children suffering from partial
deafness as well as cerebral palsy. Not all children with dual
handicaps are so happily placed, however, and it is difficult to find
a suitable environment for palsied children with severe mental retardation.
The educational auhtorities, not unnaturally, tend to regard
these children of very low intellect as unsuitable for education in
school. On the other hand, their physical frailty and unsteady gait
render their placement in a junior training centre a hazardous
procedure; nor is it reasonable to expect that adequate treatment of
their physical handicap can be provided at such a centre.
ANALYSIS OF CASES SEEN AT CEREBRAL PALSY UNIT IN 1960
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 5-10 years | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 10-15 years | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Over 15 years | - | - | - |
| Total | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| Diagnosis | Male | Female | Total |
| Cerebral Palsy | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Mental Retardation | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Spinal Paraplegia | 1 | - | 1 |
| Total | 6 | 5 | 11 |
Six confirmed cases of Cerebral Palsy - Action Taken
Admitted to Vale Road School in 1960 and awaiting placement 1
in residential P. H. school
Awaiting vacancy at Vale Road School 1
Referred back to home area for admission to special 1
training school
For admission to ordinary school on trial (1961) 1
Referred back to home area for admission to nursery 1
school
Under school age 1
6
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