Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tower Hamlets, London Borough]
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CLEANSING OF VERMINOUS SCHOOLCHILDREN
As stated in the Report for 1965 the high rate of verminous children was to be met by
additional measures, if necessary invoking legal sanction for cleansing at the borough
cleansing stations. As a result for the year 1967, the number of treatments for 'vermin and
nits' increased from 528 to 817. The schools principally affected are those with high ratios
of immigrant children on their roll some of whom move on before adequate treatment can be
completed. Attendances for treatment of scabies at the bathing centres increased from 172
last year to 308 in 1967. There has undoubtedly been an increased incidence over the last few
years of scabies which is confirmed by reports from other parts of the country. A combined
approach with the co-operation of local schools, general practitioners and the borough
cleansing station staff continued during the year to ensure where possible that all known
cases, and their family and other contacts, are given a complete course of treatment.
Tower Hamlets children placed in special schools are as follows:-
Handicap | No. at Day Schools | No. at Boarding Schools |
---|---|---|
Blind | _ | 3 |
Partially sighted | 25 | 2 |
Deaf | 29 | 8 |
Partially hearing | 30 | 1 |
Educationally subnormal | 358 | 140 |
Epileptic | 1 | 1 |
Maladjusted | 43 | 90 |
Physically Handicapped | 90 | 27 |
Del icate | 119 | 24 |
Speech Defects | 1 | - |
Multiple Handicaps | 28 | 38 |
TOTALS 724 | 334 |
DEAF AND PARTIALLY-HEARING CHILDREN
Children suspected of hearing loss are tested by health visitors at health centres. "There
ouch loss is confirmed or there is any doubt, the child is referred to an audiology clinic and
seen by a specialist and a teacher of the deaf Action taken includes referral to hospital
for treatment or for the issue of a hearing-aid, to school for the deaf and partially-hearing,
or to a health centre for further observation where loss is slight. There are no special
schools for this defect in the borough, children having to go to school either in Hackney or
Islington.
22 new cases were added to the deaf register during the year, the register now totalling
912.
77