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
Wandsworth 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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104
examine educationally subnormal children. Although the emphasis
rests upon the educational status of these children, any physical
abnormality is carefully assessed, for the successful treatment of
a physical defect may well enhance the child's prospects of securing
gainful employment after leaving school. Behaviour problems
in children of all ages continue to present difficulties. To
solve a behaviour problem is often an exacting task, demanding
intensive application of medical and educational resources.
Routine general medical inspections during 1971 totalled 17,713
compared with 17,915 in 1970. Of those children inspected, 15.8%
were referred for treatment of defects, 7.1% being referred for
treatment of defects other than vision. The corresponding percentages
for 1970 were 16.2 and 8.0 respectively.
The following table shows the number of children referred for
treatment or observation of the defects listed at routine general
medical inspections during 1971, expressed as a rate per 1,000
children inspected, together with the corresponding rates for 1970.