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 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hornsey, Borough of]
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Periodic Medical Inspections
The following table shows the number of children inspected by years of birth and the classification of their physical conditions:-
| Year of Birth | No. of pupils Inspected | Condition Satisfactory | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | % | ||
| 1958 & later | 350 | 346 | 98.9 |
| 1957 | 1209 | 1195 | 98.8 |
| 1956 | 712 | 709 | 99.6 |
| 1955 | 352 | 346 | 98.3 |
| 1954 | 1072 | 1066 | 99.4 |
| 1953 | 624 | 624 | 100.0 |
| 1952 | 189 | 187 | 98.9 |
| 1951 | 486 | 483 | 99.4 |
| 1950 | 1465 | 1457 | 99.5 |
| 1949 | 620 | 615 | 99.2 |
| 1948 | 760 | 755 | 99.3 |
| 1947 & earlier | 2924 | 2903 | 99.3 |
| Total | 10763 | 10686 | 99.3 |
There was a fall in the number of children examined and a
slight fall in the number of children of "unsatisfactory" general
condition (0.7%). A child deemed to be of unsatisfactory general
condition is closely observed and any necessary ameliorative measures
taken.
It is interesting to note that during 1961 the percentage of
"unsatisfactory" children in the country as a whole ranged between 0%
and 4+%. With a percentage of 0.7% this brings Tottenham and
Hornsey into the same category as, for example, Hastings and Leeds,
and less than either Norwich or Bristol.
The assessment of unsatisfactory physical conditions must always
be the final estimate of the examining doctors who may differ to such
an extent that it would not be surprising if a change in the medical
staff resulted in a different percentage of classified "unsatisfactory"
children from year to year. The important point to bear in mind,
however, is that when a child is deemed to be unsatisfactory, the
whole extent of the medical services is used to bring him to "satisfactory"
physical condition.
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