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 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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the schools, except those marked with an asterisk in the above list which provide
their own medical officer.
School nurses visit daily all the schools except that of the Women's University
Settlement, Blackfriars, where other arrangements of a satisfactory character are
made.
Accommodation in aided nursery schools was increased by 85 places during the
year 1936. Dalgarno-gardens nursery school with 40 places, subsequently increased
to 80, was opened in January, 1936, and accommodation at the North Islington
nursery school was increased by 5 places.
The following is a statistical summary of medical examinations and treatment at the 18 nursery schools:—
| Total average roll (all schools) | 1,223 |
| Total average attendance (all schools) | 987 |
| Total number of visits made by medical officers | 231 |
| Total number of examinations of children | 3,414 |
| Total number of individual children seen | 1,757 |
| Total number of individual children with defects | 1,088 |
Table 37
| †Defects | For observation | Referred for treatment | *Treated | Percentage treated of those referred |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rickets | 45 | 42 | 38 | 90 |
| Nose and throat | 214 | 176 | 125 | 71 |
| Eyes and eyelids | 9 | 42 | 40 | 95 |
| Vision and squint | 10 | 26 | 26 | 100 |
| Ears | 17 | 52 | 48 | 92 |
| Lungs | 41 | 58 | 55 | 95 |
| Heart | 65 | 2 | 2 | 100 |
| Skin | 10 | 107 | 105 | 98 |
| Teeth | 33 | 410 | 326 | 80 |
| Other defects | 121 | 106 | 92 | 87 |
| Total | 565 | 1,021 | 857 | 84 |
* i.e., known to have had treatment. A number of cases were awaiting appointments,
† Many cases of minor ailments arising between medical inspections were treated by the school nurses.
Average number of medical examinations per child1.94
Average number of defects per child1.46
Percentage of children examined found to be suffering from one
or more defect 61.4
Heliotherapy
in nursery
schools.
The question of the exposure of the children in nursery schools to the direct
rays of the sun has been under consideration by the medical department, and
Dr. McVail has written the following report:—
It should be understood that, to avoid dangerous reactions, definite sunlight treatment
must be carefully carried out under skilled supervision. Where sufficient care has not been
taken, the indiscriminate exposure of young children to direct sunlight has resulted in symptoms
of great lassitude, although there have not been reported in London the severe burns which
similar exposure at the sea-side is apt to produce.
Dr. Rollier, in his textbook on "Heliotherapy," page 44, says:—
"A little child requires light just as a plant or a young animal does; it basks in the
sun with comfort and joy. The old people seek the sun in order to warm their stiffened
limbs and to raise their failing vitality. For both, the sun cure is valuable, but we must
act in these extreme cases with a double amount of caution, since they are particularly
sensitive towards 'solar reactions.' "
Dr. Rollier's plan was to expose first the feet alone and for short periods, then gradually
the lower limbs and later the trunk and arms. After the third week a full sun bath might be
given.
At the nursery schools a doctor visits from once a week to once a term depending on the
size and nature of the school. At most schools a nurse visits for an hour or so at the beginning
of each morning gession. At only two of the eighteen schools (Old Church-road and Columbia