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 1929
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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141
An analysis of this table gives the following results:—
27 (8 per cent.) were found to be mentally defective. Of these 15 were
known to be defective previous to admission, and 12 were found to be defective
at the place of detention. Of the remaining 313:—
95 or 28 per cent. tested at or above their chronological ages.
61 „ 19 „ showed 1 year of retardation.
69 „ 20 „ 2 years „ „
44 ,, 12 „ 3 „ ,, ,,
28 „ 8 „ 4 „ „ „
16 „ 5 „ 5 ,, ,, ,,
This analysis shows the wide range of mental content possessed by the group,
with the moderately backward largely preponderating.
Educational levels.—Very gross educational retardation is a marked feature of
the whole group, as the following tables show. Records of 321 cases are available.
Relation between reading and arithmetic levels and chronological age:—
| Reading. | Arithmetic. | |
|---|---|---|
| Level up to or above chronological age | 70 | 42 |
| 1 year retarded | 54 | 45 |
| 2 years „ | 48 | 50 |
| 3 „ „ | 46 | 63 |
| 4 „ „ | 55 | 59 |
| 5 „ „ | 26 | 23 |
| 6 „ „ | 14 | 25 |
| 7 „ „ | 5 | 10 |
| 8 „ „ | 2 | 4 |
| 9 „ „ | 1 | 0 |
| 321 | 321 |
Relation between reading and arithmetic levels and mental age:—
| Reading. | Arithmetic. | |
|---|---|---|
| Level up to or above mental age | 165 | 117 |
| 1 year retarded | 70 | 91 |
| 2 years „ | 56 | 68 |
| 3 „ „ | 21 | 33 |
| 4 „ „ | 7 | 12 |
| 5 „ „ | 2 | 0 |
It is clear, therefore, that this educational backwardness is a real failure of
achievement, and that this failure is especially marked in arithmetic.
Special reports to magistrates.—Special reports were asked for in a small number
of cases, where the magistrate wished for information as to the physical or mental
condition of the child. In some cases also, reports were submitted even though
not asked for. This was especially so where there appeared as the result of examination
to be conditions likely to benefit from psychological investigation and treatment.
Although the vast majority of the cases of delinquency that have been seen
are cases of simple turpitude where discipline and training under good conditions
a way from home will in all probability affect a case, there is a residum of cases
where such treatment will fail unless guided by psychological investigation and
treatment. It is in such cases that the Child Guidance clinics should be of great
value.
Industrial
schools.
There are 3 industrial schools (2 for boys, 1 for girls), with a total accommodation
for 357. To each institution is allocated a medical officer and a dentist.
Examination of Employees in the Education Service and Scholars.
7,342 entrants to the permanent service and candidates for the award of scholarships
presented themselves for examination during the year. The following table
indicates the numbers submitted for each grade and the results of the
examinations:—
17710 k