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
London County Council 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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172
Annual Report of the London County Council, 1913.
The average attendance was about 101. The weather conditions were, on the whole, favourable; the following table gives some information on this point, and likewise where the day's rest was taken—wood, field, or bungalow.
| Month. | Weather. | Where rest was taken. | Remarke. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine for the time of year. No. of days. | Medium. No. of days. | Wet. No. of days. | Cold for the time of year. No.of days. | Fog. No. of days. | In Wood. No. of days. | In Field. No. of days. | In Bungalow. No. of days. | ||
| (1 | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) | 10 |
| April, 1913 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 4 | - | 12 | 3 | 7 | On eight occasions rest began in wood or field and was moved to Bungalow on account of rain. |
| May „ | 16 | 3 | 6 | 2 | - | 12 | 6 | 4 | |
| June „ | 13 | 5 | 5 | 2 | - | 10 | 11 | - | |
| July „ | 11 | 4 | 9 | 1 | - | 16 | 3 | 4 | |
| August „ | 13 | 4 | 7 | 2 | - | 17 | 2 | 1 | |
| September „ | 12 | 4 | 8 | 1 | — | 15 | 3 | 4 | |
| October „ | 15 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 1 | 5 | |
| November „ | 14 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 12 | |
| December „ | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | — | - | 21 | |
| January 1914 | 11 | - | 4 | 14 | - | 3 | - | 19 | |
The following table gives, for each sex and age, the average weight, height, percentage haemoglobin and chest measurements on inspiration in April, 1913, and January, 1914.
| Age. | Average weight. | Average height. | Average Haemoglobin test. | Average chest measurements at inspiration. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April, 1913. kilograms. | January, 1914. kilograms. | April, 1913. c.m. | January. 1914. c.m. | April, 1913. | January, 1914. | April, 1913. c.m. | January, 1914. c.m. | |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) |
| Boys. | ||||||||
| 8 years | 22.0 | 23.7 | 116.5 | 122.0 | 70.0 | 85.0 | 61.0 | 64.0 |
| 9 „ | 22.7 | 24.3 | 121.4 | 124.8 | 72.1 | 82.1 | 82.4 | 63.6 |
| 10 „ | 25.6 | 27.8 | 128.4 | 132.1 | 76.9 | 86.0 | 64.4 | 66.6 |
| 11 „ | 29.0 | 31.3 | 132.9 | 136.7 | 76.1 | 86.1 | 67.7 | 69.0 |
| 12 „ | 29.6 | 31.5 | 133.2 | 136.7 | 74.7 | 85.3 | 67.7 | 69.1 |
| 13 „ | 29.3 | 31.7 | 135.8 | 139.4 | 75.5 | 87.5 | 66.7 | 69.1 |
| 14 „ | 32.9 | 35.3 | 141.5 | 145.4 | 78.3 | 87.5 | 69.7 | 71.0 |
| Girls. | ||||||||
| 8 years | 20.6 | 22.6 | 117.6 | 120.5 | 71.2 | 85.0 | 59.7 | 62.0 |
| 9 „ | 25.5 | 27.8 | 125.7 | 129.5 | 72.1 | 82.1 | 62.7 | 65.1 |
| 10 „ | 25.7 | 28.0 | 124.3 | 128.2 | 73.6 | 84.1 | 62.4 | 65.0 |
| 11 „ | 26.3 | 29.1 | 128.7 | 132.6 | 69.4 | 83.1 | 62.5 | 65.0 |
| 12 „ | 29.8 | 32.7 | 134.4 | 139.4 | 70.0 | 83.3 | 66.0 | 68.6 |
| 13 „ | 38.2 | 42.5 | 142.2 | 148.7 | 80.0 | 87.5 | 67.5 | 68.5 |
| 14 „ | 34.5 | 39.6 | 143.0 | 147.8 | 75.0 | 87.6 | 71.5 | 73.0 |
These figures show a general improvement, which is also borne out by the increased smartness
and intelligence to be observed in the children. It was frequently said at other schools that children
regarded almost as mentally defective, had returned, after a sojourn at the open-air school, completely
changed—bright, energetic, and good workers, in contrast to their condition prior to entering
Shooter's Hill school.
Kensal House
tuberculosis
school.
This school has been under the regular supervision of Dr. R. S. Walker, the medical officer of
the Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary, who is attached to the Council's service for the purpose of
(a) the selection of children for admission to the school (b) the medical inspection of the children
under the Education (Administrative Provision) Act, 1907, and periodical medical examinations under
the Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Act, 1899; (c) reporting to the school medical officer
in regard to applications for exemption from further school attendance, and the supervision of the medical
side of the work of the school when so instructed.
The dispensary doctor chooses from among his patients those children whom he considers to be
suitable for admission to the school, and when making his selection he is guided by the result of the
examination of chest, mouth, teeth, etc.; general appearance, nutrition, clothing and cleanliness; and
the willingness of the parent to co-operate with the school authorities. The question of residence is
also important, and the children admitted to the school are drawn from the streets in the immediate
vicinity thereof. At the examinations, the parents are invited to attend, and are of much assistance
to the doctor, who is thus able to give advice in regard to general conditions, and to persuade the parents
to send to the treatment centres children suffering from defective vision, enlarged tonsils, adenoids,
and carious teeth.
The number of children on the roll on the 1st January, was 97, and on 31st December, 94. The
average attendance for the year was 83. There was no marked variation in the attendance from
month to month; January had the highest figure, 90.4, for the year; but in August, there was a
definite drop, due to many of the children being sent on holiday to the country.