London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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London County Council 1918

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]

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re-inspected 854 cases have received treatment, are receiving treatment, or are no longer in need of it,
and 465 cases still remain untreated. Thus 35.3 per cent. of the cases at these schools are outstanding.
The corresponding percentage for last term for the whole of London was 47.1. The greatly improved
result for the 37 schools is highly satisfactory, more especially when it is borne in mind that most of
these schools previously had an abnormally high percentage of untreated cases. The exceptionally
good results obtained in particular schools are deserving of note. Thus at Addington-street the precentage
of outstanding cases in the last term of 1917 was 70.9, and this has now been reduced to 16.3.
The corresponding figures at Warple-way are 55.5, reduced to 14.3 ; at Arthur-street 70.1, reduced to
25.0 ; and at St. Leonard's-road 50.0, reduced to 14.3,

The treatment results obtained in the last term of 1918 in the selected schools, compared with London for the whole year, may be stated as follows:—

London, per cent.Selected schools, per cent.
Cases completed at first re-inspection36.947.8
Cases completed at second reinspection32.131.2
Total percentage of completed cases69.079.0

Thus not only did more children ultimately obtain treatment in the selected schools, but a higher
proportion had already obtained that treatment antecedent to the first reinspection.
The total number of home visits paid during the whole year, by the nurses concerned with
Johanna-street and Warple-way, were no fewer than 715 and 947 respectively, and as a result the
large majority of the outstanding cases were reported as cured.
With a view to obtaining additional voluntary workers for various parts of London, in which the
following-up difficulty was acute, the Council on the 30th July, 1918, appointed 12 temporary assistant
organisers for recruiting purposes.
Education (Provision of Meals) Act.
Supervision
of dietaries.
The arrangements set out in previous reports for the supervision of dietaries have continued
throughout the year. The total samples of milk examined amounted to 849. Of this number 260
(30.6 per cent.) were found to be unsatisfactory, 205 by reason of the addition of water and 55 owing
to removal of fat (skimming). A noticeable feature with regard to the unsatisfactory samples was that
64 per cent. were received during the first three months (January—March) a period not usually associated
with low quality milk. The least satisfactory samples were received during February last when nearly
92 per cent. of the samples examined contained added water ; in nearly half these cases the addition
of water exceeded 10 percent. and in one case reached 37 per cent. After the first quarter of the vear
the quality of the milk supply generally improved, until in October less than 3 per cent. of the samples
were found to be unsatisfactory. In each case in which 3 per cent. of added water or abstraction of fat
is indicated by the result of analysis, the Medical Officer of the Borough concerned is communicated
with and prosecutions under the Sale of Foods and Drugs Act have resulted and convictions have been
obtained.
Of 27 samples of meals, other than milk meals, supplied to necessitous children, only two were
reported after analysis as unsatisfactory as to quality. In many cases recommendations were made
as regards restoring the balance of the various ingredients and increasing the amount of available
nourishment.
Tuberculosis.
During 1918 the Council increased from 231 to 300 the number of sanatorium and hospital beds
for children paid for by the Council in voluntary institutions, and continued the authority for the acceptance
of beds available in Metropolitan Asylums Board institutions. On the 1st January, 1918, 186
boys and 185 girls were under treatment in residential institutions and 393 boys and 373 girls were sent
away during the year. The total number treated during 1918 was therefore 1,137. In addition, through
the Invalid's Children's Aid Association, with financial assistance from the Council, 686 children
were treated in convalescent homes, the average number of beds in occupation at one time being 271.
The Council further continued during the year the assistance given during 1917 in respect of the
day sanatoria attached to certain of the tuberculosis dispensaries. This assistance took the form of the
supply of a teacher and the necessary educational equipment. The work carried out under the tuberculosis
scheme of the Council is dealt with in detail in Part I. of this report; it may be stated here
that further provision of day schools for tuberculous children is being made.
Open Air Schools.
Birley
House and
Shooter's
Hill.
The Council's open air schools at Birley House and Shooter's Hill have been continued and
individual records of health and progress have been maintained. These records show that the improvement
of the children in general condition, mental and physical, has been well marked. The physical
measurements present the same features as in former years, although difficulty was experienced in
connection with the dietary and the regularity of attendance was affected by the outbreaks of influenza
and difficulties in travelling. Many of those in attendance are children in whom the onset of tuberculosis
was feared, or children returned from sanatorium treatment with the disease in an arrested state.
Kensal
House
School.
The school has been under the regular supervision of Dr. R. S. W alker, who is also the medical
officer of the Paddington Tuberculosis Dispensary from which the children are mainly drawn. The
number of children on the roll on the 1st January was 91, and on the 31st December, 102; the average