London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
London County Council 1926
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
This page requires JavaScript
108
elementary schools have three lessons per week of twenty minutes' duration.
Swimming is taken in addition to this by children from the higher classes during
the swimming season, and the same children frequently have one extra period for
games. Generally the children in the lower classes at present are inadequately
treated in regard to periods of physical training.
Instruction in swimming is in London taken very seriously, and the arrangements
for tuition during school hours are effectively supplemented by the London Schools'
Swimming Association. During 1925, as many as 8,487 boys obtained the Association's
Certificate for 100 yards and 8,135 girls qualified for the 50 yards' certificate,
1,594 boys and 2,475 girls obtained the elementary, while 1,167 boys and 1,774 girls
obtained the advanced certificate in life saving. The question of the precautions
that are necessary, particularly amongst elementary school girls participating in
swimming races under intense competitive conditions, was discussed in my annual
report for 1925.
During the past year occasion was taken by some of the assistant medical officers
to visit some of the swimming competitions organised by the London Schools'
Swimming Association. Dr. Nairn Dobbie attended the St. Pancras Swimming Gala,
held on September 22nd (girls) and September 23rd (boys). He examined the
condition of a number of boys and girls before and after the races, particularly in
relation to their circulatory reactions. The following tables give the results of his
observations:—
Boys.
| Age. | Temperament. | Distance ofa.b.from middle line. | Pulse rate before race. | Pulse rate after race. | Pulse 2 min. after race. | Distance in lengths. | Time and nature of meal. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) A. Y., 24.10.12 | Bright | 2¾ in. | 88 | 140 reg | 100 reg. | 2 | 1 p.m.—glass of milk. |
| (2) D.H., 14.12.12 | Placid | 2¾ in. | 104 | 148 sl. irr. | 112 reg. | 1 | 12 noon—soup, bread and butter. |
| (3) F.A., 1.5.13 | Bright | 2¾ in. | 80 | 144 si. irr. | 108 sl. irreg. | 3 | 12 noon—liver, bacon, bread and butter. |
| (4) C.P., 8.6.13 | Placid | 2¾ in. | 88 | 136 reg. | 104 reg. | 2 | 12.30—potatoes and tomatoes. |
| (5) W.L., 12.6.14 | Bright | 2¾ in. | 108 | 144 irr. | 112 sl. irr. | 1 | 1.15 — milk pudding. |
| (6) R.B., 21.5.15 | Rather nervous | 2¾ in. | 96 | Breathing laboured 164 marked irreg. | 120 irreg. | 1 | 12.45—stew. |
| (7) R.C., 15.2.15 | Bright | 2¾ in. | 96 | 144 reg. | 100 reg. | 1 | 1 p.m.—potatoes and greens. |
| (8) E.B., 15.2.15 | Bright | 2¾ in. | 104 | 152 marked irreg. | 116 still irreg. | 1 | 12 noon—milk pudding. |
| (9) G.H., 25.5.13 | Bright | 2¾ in. | 88 | 132 reg. | 92 reg. | 2 | 12.30—broth, bread and butter. |
| (10) G.T., 28.5.13 | Bright | 2¾ in. | 100 | 140 sl. irr. | 112 irreg. | 1 | 12 noon—cold meat, bread and butter. |
| (11) F.E., 6.12.15 | Anxious | 2¾ in. | 96 | Breathing laboured, 160 marked irreg. | 124 still irreg. | 1 | 12.30 — glass of milk. |
Nutrition—First 8 good; last 3 average.
Physique—First 8 good; Nos. 9 and 10 average (slim); No. 11 small.
Skin—Fine throughout. Heart—Normal throughout.