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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 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
- Published
- 1939
- Pages
- 199
- Tables
- 205
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Page 3
The age and sex-distribution of this estimated population is as follows :— Table 1
Age group Males Females Total -
Page 4
The births in the resident population of each metropolitan borough during 1938 were as follows Table 2—County of London—Births, 1938
Metropolitan boroughs arranged in topographical order Live-births Still-births Total Legitimate Illegitimate Legitimate Illegitimate Legitimate Illegitimate -
Page 4
The distribution of deaths by ages in 1938 and recent preceding periods is shown in the following table:— Table 3
Period 0- 1- 2 — 5- 10- 15- 20- 25- 35- 45- 55- 65+ All ages -
Page 5
There was a substantial decrease in the number of fatal street accidents—from 520 in 1937 to 363 in 1938. A comparison of the age distribution for the two years is given in the following table:— Table 4—County of London—Deaths from street accidents
Year Age group 0-6 5-15 15-25 25-45 45-65 65+ All ages -
Page 5
The movement of the death-rates from the principal diseases at ages below one year since 1910 are shown in the following table :— Table 5
Cause of death 1911 to 1914 1915 to 1918 1919 to 1922 1923 to 1926 1927 to 1930 1931 to 1934 1935 to 1938 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page 6
The deaths among infants under one year of age in age groups from the causes included in the above table are shown by sex and according to legitimacy in the following table:- Table 6—County of London—Infant mortality, 1938
Cause of death Age at death Total Rates per 1,000 live births Under 1 day 1 to 7 days 1 to 4 weeks 4 weeks to 3 months 3 months to 6 months 6 months to 9 months 9 months to 1 year Number Males Females Males Females -
Page 6
Five cases of anthrax were notified during the year, all of which were confirmed. Particulars are as follows: — Table 7
Metropolitan borough Age] Occupation Probable source of infection Outcome -
Page 7
The following table shows the age incidence of cases of cerebro-spinal fever, encephalitis lethargica, and poliomyelitis and polioencephalitis, including confirmed notified cases and deaths among unnotified cases:— Table 8
Age periods Under 3 3-5 5-10 10-20 20-30 30-40 40-50 50-60 Over 60 Total -
Page 7
The following statement shows the number of cases, notified and confirmed, and the number of deaths, including deaths among unnotified cases, recorded in the Registrar-General's death returns :—
1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page 8
The following table shows the age and sex incidence in 259 of the 270 cases notified during the year; in the remaining 11 cases the ages were not stated:— Table 9
Sex Under 5 years 5-16 years 15-25 years 25-35 years 35-45 years 45-55 years 55-65 years Over 65 years Total -
Page 8
The causes of illness in the 270 notified cases were stated to be as follows:—
-
Page 8
The death-rates m London and England and Wales in recent years have been as follows:— Table 10
Area. 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1034 1035 1936 1937 -
Page 8
The death-rates in London and England and Wales in recent years are shown in the following table:— Table 11
Area 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 -
Page 8
The seasonal incidence, as shown by the notifications (uncorrected for errors of diagnosis) received in successive four-weekly periods during the year, was as follows:— Table 12 Weeks of the year
1- 5- 9- 13- 17- 21- 25- 29- 33- 37- 41- 45- 49-52 -
Page 9
The death-rates in London and England and Wales in recent years are shown in the following table:— Table 14
Area- 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 -
Page 9
The seasonal incidence, as shown by the notifications (uncorrected for errors of diagnosis) received in successive four-weekly periods during the year, was as follows:— Table 15 Weeks of the year
1- 5- 9- 13- 17- 21- 25- 29- 33- 37- 41- 45- 49-52 -
Page 9
The death-rates in London and England and Wales in recent years are shown in the following table:— Table 17
Area 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 -
Page 10
The death-rates per 1,000 live births in London and England and Wales in recent years are shown in the following table:— Table 18
1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page 10
The deaths from puerperal fever and other puerperal causes per thousand live-births in each metropolitan borough and in the county of London in the periods 1921 to 1930 and 1931 to 1938, together with the deaths in childbirth in 1938, are shown in the following table:— Table 19
Metropolitan boroughs arranged in topographical order Childbirth deaths* per 1,000 live-births Number of deaths in ohildbirth 1938 1921-30 1931-38 Puerperal fever Other causes Total Puerperal fever Other causes Total Puerperal fever Other causes Total -
Page 11
Table 20
1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page 11
The seasonal incidence, as shown by the notifications (uncorrected for errors of diagnosis) received in successive four-weekly periods during the year was as follows:— Table 21
1- 5- 9- 13- 17- 21- 25- 29- 33- 37- 41- 45- 49-62 -
Page 12
The annual death-rates per 1,000 population in London from pulmonary and non-pulmonary tuberculosis in recent years are shown in the subjoined table:— Table 22
Period Pulmonary tuberculosis death-rates Non-pulmonary tuberculosis death-ratee Males Females Total Males Females Total -
Page 12
Table 23
Form of tuberculosis notified Sex Number of formal primary notifications of new cases of tuberculosis Total notifications - 1- 5- 10- 15- 20- 25- 35- 45- 65- 65+ Total all ages -
Page 12
Table 24
Form of tuberculosis notified Sex New cases of tuberculosis coming to knowledge otherwise than by formal notification 0- 1- 5- 10- 16- 20- 25- 35- 45- 55- 65+ Total -
Page 13
T able 25
Source of information Number of cases Pulmonary Non-pulmonary -
Page 13
The following statement shows the changes in the numbers on the registers, for the whole county, during 1938 and also during the previous year. County of London—Notification registers
1937 1938 -
Page 14
Table 26—County of London—Cases of tuberculosis on register at the end of each year, per cent, of population, 1932-1938
Metropolitan boroughs arranged in topographical order 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 Pulm. Non P. Pulm. Non P. Pulm. Non P. Pulm. Non P. Pulm. Non P. Pulm. Non P. Pulm. Non P. -
Page 15
Table 27— Vital statistics for the metropolitan boroughs and the County of London in the year 1938 (Rates per 1,000 of population)
Metropolitan boroughs arranged in topographical order Estimated resident population 1938 Live births Deaths Infantmortality(per 1,000 live births) Measles Scartlet fever Diphtheria Whooping cough Typhoid fever Diarrhœa and enteritis, age 0-2(per 1,000 live births) Pulmonary tuberculosis Peneumonia Other resp. dis. Cancer Maternal mortality(per 1,000 live births Notification of infectious disease Scarlet fever Diph theria Typhoid fever Erysipelas Cerebrospinal fever Acute pneumonia -
Page 16
Table 28—County of London—Principal causes of death by sex and age, 1938
Causes of death Sex 0— 1- 2— 5— 15— 25— 35— 45— 55— 65— 75— All Ages 1938 1937 -
Page 17
Table 28— continued
Causes of death Sex 0— 1— 2— 5— 15— 25— 35— 45- 55— 65— 75— All Ages 1938 1937 -
Page 18
Table 29—County of London—Principal vital statistics, 1891-1938
Period Annual rate per 1,000 living Annual mortality per 1,000 living Annual mortality per 1,000 live births Live births Marriages Deaths (all causes) Cerebrospinal fever Diphtheria Enteric fever Scarlet fever Smallpox Whooping-cough Measles Influenza Tuberculosis Pneumonia (all forms) Bronchitis Other resp- diseases Heart disease Cancer Diabetes Infants 0—1 Diarrhoea and enteritis 0—2 Puerperal fever Other acc. of ch. birth Pulmonary Non -pulmonary -
Page 19
Table 30— County of London—Notifiable infectious diseases—Notifications per 1,000 of population
Period Annual rates per 1,000 living Anthrax Cerebrospinal fever Continued fever Diphtheria Dysentery Encephalitis lethargica Enteric fevers Erysipelas Malaria Ophthalmia neonatorum (per 1,000 live births) Acute primary and influenzal pneumonia Polio. encephalitis Poliomyelitis Puerperal fever (per 1,000 live births) Puerperal pyrexia (per 1,000 live births) Scarlet fever Smallpox Typhus -
Page 19
Table 31— County of London—Annual number of notifications of infectious disease, 1929-38
Year (52 or 53 weeks) Anthrax Cerebro-spinal fever Continued fever Diphtheria Dysentery Encephalitis lethargica Enteric fevers Erysipelas Malaria Ophthalmia neonatorum Acute primary and influenzal pneumonia Polioencephalitis Poliomyelitis Puerperal fever Puerperal pyrexia Scarlet fever Smallpox Typhus -
Page 20
Table 32—County of London—Notifications of infectious disease during the 52 weeks ended 31st December, 1938
Metropolitan boroughs (in topographical order) Anthrax Cerebrospinal fever Continued fever Diphtheria (including membranous croup) Dysentery Encephalitis lethargica Enteric fever Erysipelas Malaria *Measles Ophthalmia neonatorum Acute primary and influenzal Pneumonia Polio- encephalitis Polio-myelitis Puerperal fever Puerperal pyrexia Scarlet fever Whooping-cough -
Page 22
Table 33
Grade Number of samples Number tuberculous Percentage tuberculous -
Page 23
A summary of the work done by the hospitals for each of the areas in the joint scheme during the year 1938 is shown in the following table:— Table 34
London Middlesex Essex Surrey Kent Herts. Bucks. East Ham West Ham Croydon Total "Other places" Grand total -
Page 23
The distribution of new cases of venereal disease between the sexes is shown in the following table, the figures for the preceding years being given for comparison:— Table 35
Year New cases Total venereal cases Syphilis Soft chancre Gonorrhoea M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. -
Page 24
Comparative figures are shown in the following table:— Table 36
Year New cases Total attendances (venereal and non-venereal) In-patients days Venereal Non-venereal Total -
Page 25
Treatment of tuberculosis The dispensary services of the Metropolitan Borough Councils continued as Dispensary before and the following is a summary of certain aspects of their work :— services Table 37
Metropolitan borough Deaths from tuberculosis Ratio of cases on dispensary register to cases on notification register Number per 100 deaths from tuberculosis in the borough Total attendances per case on register Tuberculosis officers' visits per case on register Total consultations With medical practitioners per case on register Nurses' visits per case on register X.ray examinations Actual Per 1,000 inhabitants Definitely tuberculous persons on dispensary register T.B. + cases on dispensary register Examinations per 100 new cases and contacts per 100 new cases New cases Contacts Adults Children -
Page 26
Table 38— Applications for residential treatment
Year For first period of treatment For further treatment Total Ex-service Civilian adults Children Ex-service Civilian adults Children Male Female Male Female -
Page 26
Patients recommended for treatment during 1938 were dealt with as follows (the corresponding figures for 1937 being shown in brackets):—
Adults Children -
Page 26
Table 39— Extent of residential observation and treatment
Classification In institutions on 1st January, 1938 Admitted during the year Discharged during the year Died in institutions In institutions on 31st December 1938 -
Page 27
Table 40— Distribution of patients in institutions on 31st December, 1938 (figures for 1937 in brackets)
Hospitals and institutions Ex-service men Civilian adults Children under 16 years Total -
Page 27
Table 41— Average number of patients under the scheme at Papworth and Preston Hall, respectively, during each of the past ten years
1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page 27
The following table shows the number of adult patients discharged from residential treatment in 1932 who were living at the end of five years after discharge, with comparative figures (given in brackets) relating to patients who were discharged in 1927:— Table 42— Adults
Classification Number discharged Number lost sight of Total followed up Living at end of 5 years Number Percentage -
Page 28
Subjoined are particulars ot the survival five years later ot children discharged from residential treatment in 1932, the figures for 1927 being given in brackets:— Table 43— Children
Classification Number discharged Number lost sight of Total Number living at followed up end of 5 years -
Page 29
The number of midwifery and maternity nursing cases undertaken in 1938 by the domiciliary midwifery service was as follows :— Midwifery Maternity
Organisation cases nursing cases Total -
Page 32
The following imormation concerning midwifery and maternity work undertaken in registered nursing homes was obtained:—
1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page 33
The following table indicates the nature of the services which are aided by the Council for the year ended 31st March, 1939:— Table 44
Number of associations at end of year Description of service Total of beds Grant paid by the Council -
Page 33
These may be classified as follows (the comparable figures for the previous year being also shown):—
Examinations of:— 1938 1937 -
Page 36
Table 46
Classification 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 No. Rate per 1,000 No. Rate per 1,000 No. Rate per 1,000 No. Rate per 1,000 No. Rate per 1,000 -
Page 37
The following statement shows the number of cases visited, and the number of visits made, under the Council's district nursing scheme, during 1938:—
Nature of case No. of cases No. of visits Average no. of visits per case -
Page 39 39
General Hospitals Table 47 (a) STATISTICS (excluding cots in mater[???] wards and infants in maternity cots), 1938
Hospital Fixed accommodation at 1.4.1938 Admissions during the year Confinements during the year Discharges during the year Deaths during the year Average percentage of occupation of fixed accommodation Average duration of stay in days Operations performed during the year Xdepartments Massage or physio-therapeutic departments Out-patients Hospital Diagnostic Therapeutic Ante-natal clinics Out-patients (excluding ante-natal clinic cases) Inpatients Outpatients No. of films No. of patients No. of treatments Inpatients Outpatients No. of treatments No. of expectant mothers seen No. of attendances No. of persons seen No. of these who had previously received in-patient treatment No. of attendances -
Page 40
General Hospitals— continued Table 47 (6)— Hospitals for chronic sick—Sick cases, 1938
Hospital Accommodation for sick at 1.4.1938 Admissions during the year Discharges during the year Deaths during the year Average percentage occupation of fixed accommodation -
Page 40
Table 48— Mental diseases—Analysis of admissions and discharges during year ended 31 st December, 1938
Classification Public Health Public Assistance Total Corresponding totals for the year 1937 Fulham hospital I St. Alfege's hospital I and II St. Clement's hospital St. Francis' hospital St. John's hospital St. Pancras' hospital II Fulham Road -
Page 41
Special Hospitals Statistical table Condensed statistics of the patients treated in the special hospitals during the year 1938 are as follows:— Table 49
Unit Remaining on 31st December 1937 Admissions Live Births Discharges Deaths Remaining on 31st December, 1938 -
Page 42
Condensed statistics of the patients in the infectious hospitals from 1932 to 1938 are as follows:— Table 50
1932 1933 1934 1935 1936§ 1937 § 1938§ -
Page 42
cerebro-spinal fever, poliomyelitis, chickenpox, mumps and German measles. The statement below shows the rise in admissions of some of these diseases:—
Cerebrospinal fever Poliomyelitis Puerperal fever and pyrexia Enteritis Dysentery -
Page 44
The number of examinations (including post-mortem examinations) completed in the group laboratories during the two years ended 31st December, 1938, are indicated hereunder:—
Group laboratory 1937 1938 -
Page 45
The following is a statement of the number of stall employed at accident and general section stations as at 31st December, 1938:— Table 51— Accident section
Grade Permanent Temporary Total -
Page 45
Table 52 —General ambulance section
Superintendents Senior ambulance clerks (men) Ambulance clerks (men) Operative staff Total Grade Drivers Attendants Drivers temporary Washers & helpers. Not graded -
Page -
It is therefore proposed that the authorised standard of lavatory accommodation in new, enlarged or remodelled public elementary schools in London shall be in accordance with the following scale :—
Old scale Pro-posed new scale -
Page -
The average roll and average attendance (elementary schools) during the last four years, were as follows :—
Year Roll Attendance -
Page -
T able 1— Clothing and footgear—Percentages
Age group 1937 1938 Good Fair Bad Good Fair Bad -
Page -
Table 2
Age group 1927 1932 1937 1938 Sound Serious decay Sound Serious decay Sound Serious decay Sound Serious decay -
Page -
T able 3
Year Boys Girls Number inspected Percentage with sound teeth Percentage with serious decay Number inspected Percentage with sound teeth Percentage with serious decay -
Page -
T able 4
Age group Visual acuity (percentages) Normal Slight defect More serious defect 1937 1938 1937 1938 1937 1938 -
Page -
Table 5
Sex Number Nutritional classification 1 2 3 4 -
Page -
The number of children tested by the gramophone audiometer during the year was 70,960 and the total number of individual tests was 81,512. Particulars of children who failed are shown in the following table:— Table 6— Routine audiometer tests
School Total number tested Total number of children failed Number failed in Percentage of failures (either ear) One ear Both ears -
Page -
Table 7
Year Total ears Number of ears showing level of recording in decibels —3 to 6 9 12 to 18 21 to 30 -
Page -
The clinical examination of the failed children conducted by the assistant otologists revealed the following defects, which were partly or wholly responsible for their loss of hearing :—
-
Page -
The analysis with regard to nutrition, of the results of routine medical inspection in the ordinary elementary schools during 1938 is shown in the following table :— Table 8— Assessment of nutrition, 1938
Group Numbers examined Nutrition Excellent 1 Normal 2 Subnormal 3 Bad 4 -
Page -
Corresponding figures for the previous year are shown in the following table:— Table 9— Assessment of nutrition, 1937
Group Numbers examined Nutrition Excellent 1 Normal 2 Subnormal Bad 3 4 -
Page -
Table 10— Assessment of nutrition in percentages 1937 and 1938
Group Nutrition Excellent 1 Normal 2 Sub-normal (and bad) 3 1937 1938 1937 1938 1937 1938 -
Page -
Particulars of attendances at nutrition centres during 1938 are shown below
-
Page -
Table 11— Summary of assessment of incomes (after deducting rent and insurance)
Classification. Total Income per head below 10s. a week. Income per head 10a. to 16s. a week. Income per head over 15s. a week. Income per head less than 6s. a week -
Page -
Table 12—Classification of results of haemoglobin estimations
Year. No. of children. Hb. 85 per cent, and below. Hb. below 80 per cent. -
Page -
Table 13 First re-inspections, 1938 (Percentages are given in italic type)
Defect treated No. of defects Treated Untreated By private doctor or dentist Under Council's scheme At other hospitals Dis-charg'd Improved. For observation only Still needing treatment Dis-charg'd Not dis- charg'd Dis- charg'd Not dis- charg'd Dis-charg'd Not dis- charg'd -
Page -
The numbers of children treated at all the hospitals and centres under the scheme during 1938 compared with 1937 were:—
Ailment 1937 1938 -
Page -
Particulars of this section of the work are given in the following table:— Table 14— Deaf cases
Classification Patients Ears treated -
Page -
Table 15— Special ear clinics—totals for all clinics
Cause of suppuration Total ears Cured Referred for mastoid operation Lapsed Still under treatment -
Page -
Table 16
Particulars 1936 1937 1938 -
Page -
Table 17— Admissions to rheumatism units, 1938
Sex Rheumatism and/or chorea with cardiac involvement Rheumatism and/or chorea with no cardiac involvement Total Number Percentage Number Percentage -
Page -
Table 18—Discharges from rheumatism units, 1938
Sex Fit for elementary school or any employment Fit for P.D. school or light work only Permanently unfit Total Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage -
Page -
T able 19— Census of chronic invalid s, November, 1938, and preceding years
Ailment Cases Percentage of total 1935 1936 1937 1938 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page -
Table 20
Year Diphtheria Scarlet fever Measles and German measles Whoopingcough Chickenpox Mumps Ophthalmia -
Page -
Table 21
Division Diphtheria Scarlet fever Number ofvisits Number of depts. visited Number of children examined Number of visits Number of depts. visited Number of children examined -
Page -
The following figures relating to this pre-operative immunisation during 1938 have been received from the divisional medical officer:—
Cyril Henry treatment centre Hanover Park treatment centre -
Page -
The following table shows the number of cases of ringworm of the scalp among the children in the Council's elementary schools reported during 1938 and in previous years:— Table 22
Year New cases Cured cases Cases outstanding at the end of the year Percentage of cures effected by X-ray treatment -
Page -
The percentage proportion in each year of age of Schick negative and positive cases, tabulated according to sex, was as follows:— Table 23
Age Total tested Percentage Male Female Schick negative Schick positive -
Page -
Table 24
Age Total tested Percentage Male Female Dick negative Dick positive Male Female Male Female -
Page -
The nine day open-air schools for non-tuberculous children maintained by the Council have continued their excellent work. The following table gives the roll of these schools in December. 1938:—
Boys Girls Total -
Page -
The following figures illustrate what was aphieved:—
Number Average attendance -
Page -
The numbers of individual children on free "meals" in December in the years 1934 to 1938, inclusive, were as follows:— Table 25
Meal 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page -
Particulars of the two groups are given in the following table:— Period, 9th May to 18 th July, 1938
Height per cent. increase per child per week Weight per cent. increase per child per week " Health dinner" children " Control" children " Health dinner' children " Control" children -
Page -
Percentage increase of average " health dinner " child over " control" child, according to number of weeks fed
Height Weight -
Page -
Average no. of attendances per child
-
Page -
The following table shows the number of invitations issued and the total average attendance for all centres, compared with the distributions during the Easter and summer holidays, 1938:—
No. of invitations issued Average attendance daily Percentage of average attendance to invitations -
Page -
Table 26
Defect Number nominated Suitable for admission to Returned to elementary school Invalided as for the time unfit for any school Notified under M.D. Acts Ocular Boys Girls Blind school Partially sighted Swanley Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls -
Page -
The following statement shows the nature of the conditions found among the children certified as suitable for admission to schools for the physically defective at the admission examinations during the year:— Table 27
Morbid conditions Boys Girls Total -
Page -
T able 28
Morbid conditions Elementary school Invalided -
Page -
T able 29
Transferred from schools for Re-classified for transfer to— P.D. school M.D. school Partially sighted school Blind school Deaf school Partially deaf school Open- air school Epileptic colony Swanley eye hospital -
Page -
Table 30
Action taken Special school classification P.D. M.D. Blind Partially sighted Deaf Partially deaf Total -
Page -
Table 31
Morbid conditions Cases deemed no longer certifiable Cases deemed fit to return to elementary schools -
Page -
Acquired cases —Hearing defect due to:—
-
Page -
For purposes of comparison, classification has been made under headings similar to those in my report of the spring of 1931, which was included in Vol. III, part II of the Annual Report for that year (p. 66), and which dealt with the 218 children then in the Council's schools for the blind.
Defect Number and percentage -
Page -
The following is an analysis of the 14 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum in the two schools for the blind in 1938, with reference to their year of birth, together with the corresponding particulars contained in the annual report for 1931:—
Year of birth No. of children Year of birth No. of children -
Page -
The following table shows the number of children notified by the education authority under section 2 (2) of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, as amended by the Mental Deficiency Act, 1927, during the year 1938 (the figures in brackets being those for the previous year):—
(a) Feeble-minded— Boys Girls -
Page -
Table 32
Classification Male Female Total Grand total under headings -
Page -
The variation in admission rate is shown below:—
1930 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
Page -
The various physical and mental illnesses treated are set out below:—
Condition No of cases Condition No. of cases -
Page -
The following is a record of admissions during 1938 and the two preceding years:—
1938 1937 1936 -
Page -
Source of reference
-
Page -
Reasons for reference
-
Page -
Results obtained
-
Page -
Provided by the Council
-
Page -
Aided by the Council
-
Page -
Hospital schools The following is a list of the hospital schools with their classification and nominal school accommodation:— Table 33
Hospital school Classification Nominal accommodation Number of children In hospital 31-12-38* On school roll at end of winter term* -
Page -
The enquiry covered schools containing 231,650 children equally distributed throughout the county. Table 34— Incidence of plantar warts
Division Number of children examined Number of children suffering from plantar warts Boys Girls Mixed Boys Girls Mixed -
Page -
To get the figures for infants more accurately, the numbers for infants' departments were taken out separately, with the following results:—
Number examined Number suffering from plantar warts -
Page -
The conditions which led to refusal in the other 47 cases were:—
Boys Girls Total -
Page -
The following table indicates the numbers of candidates and the results of the examinations:— Table 35
Category Number examined Number fit Number rejected Number who withdrew after being referred for remediable defects or were not due for reexamination until 1939 Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female -
Page -
STATISTICAL TABLES Table 1— Medical inspection, 1938 (a) Routine inspections
Group Boye Girls Total -
Page -
(c) Children found at routine medical inspection to require treatment (excluding nutrition, uncleanliness and dental disease)
Age group Inspected Found to require treatment Percentage Defective vision Other conditions in Table II Total -
Page -
Table II (a) (1) Defects found at medical inspections of all children in elementary and special schools
Disease or defect Routine inspections— Defects Special inspections— Defects Requiring treatment Requiring observation. Requiring treatment Requiring observation Elementary schools Special schools Elementary schools Special schools -
Page -
Table II ( continued) (b) Classification of the nutrition of children inspected during the year in the routine age groups
Age group Number of children inspected A (Excellent) B (Normal) C (Slightly subnormal) D (Bad) No. Percentage No. Percentage No. Percentage No. Percentage -
Page -
Table III (a) Exceptional children in London in 1938
Classification At certified special schools At public elementary schools At other institutions* At no school or institution Total -
Page -
Table III ( continued) (b) Return of children suffering from more than one defect, 1938
Defect Type of school Day M.D. Resi-dential P.D. Residential deaf Epileptic colony Day P.D. Certified hospital schls. At other institutions Total -
Page -
Table IV Treatment table (a) Group I— Minor ailments, excluding uncleanliness, for which see group V
Disease or defect Defects treated or under treatment Under Council's scheme Otherwise Total -
Page -
(b) Group II— Defective vision and squint (excluding eye defects treated as minor ailments, for which see group I)
Disease or defect Defects dealt with Under Council's scheme Otherwise Total -
Page -
Table IV ( continued) (c) Group III— Treatment of defects of the throat and nose—number of defects
Defect Received operative treatment Total Received other forms of treatment Total number treated Under Council's scheme Private practitioner or hospital -
Page -
(d) Group IV— Dental defects
-
Page -
(e) Group V.—U ncleanliness and verminous conditions
-
Page -
T able V Medical inspection—number of children examined, 1928-1938
Year Routine examinations Special examinations Re-inspections Examinations at special enquiries into outbreaks of infectious disease Special ear inspection centre attendances Rheumatism supervisory centre attendances -
Page -
Table VI Medical treatment—number of cases treated under the Council's scheme and by other agencies, 1928-1938
Year Minor ailments† Vision Nose and throat Dental Under the Council's scheme Otherwise Under the Council's scheme Otherwise Under the Council's scheme Other. wise Under the Council's scheme Otherwise* . -
Page -
Table VII Medical inspection of students in higher education institutions, 1938
Classification Council secondary schools Other secondary schools Council and other junior tech. schools Training colleges Total Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Male Female Male Female -
Page -
The average roll and average attendance (elementary schools) during the last four years, were as follows:—
Year Roll Attendance -
Page -
Particulars of examinations at school are set out below:—
-
Page -
Table 1— Clothing and footgear—Percentages
Age group 1937 1938 Good Fair Bad Good Fair Bad -
Page -
Table 2
Age group 1927 1932 1937 1938 Sound Serious decay Sound Serious decay Sound Serious decay Sound Serious decay -
Page -
The subjoined table gives figures for the past twelve years of entrants:— Table 3
Year Boys Girls Number inspected Percentage with sound teeth Percentage with serious decay Number inspected Percentage with sound teeth Percentage with serious decay -
Page -
Table 4
Age group Visual acuity (percentages) Normal Slight defect More serious defect 1937 1938 1937 1938 1937 1938 -
Page -
medical examinations the nutritional classification, on the Board's scale, of the children was as follows:— Table 5
Sex Number Nutritional classification 1 2 3 4 -
Page -
The number of children tested by the gramophone audiometer during the year was 70,960, and the total number of individual testa was 81,512. Particulars of children who failed are shown in the following table:— Table 6— Routine audiometer tests
School Total number tested Total number of children failed Number failed in Percentage of failures (either ear) One ear Both ears -
Page -
Table 7
Year Total ears Number of ears showing level of recording in decibels —3 to 6 9 12 to 18 21 to 30 -
Page -
Table 8— Assessment of nutrition, 1938
Group Numbers examined Nutrition Excellent Normal Subnormal Bad 1 2 3 4 -
Page -
Corresponding figures for the previous year are shown in the following table :— Table 9— Assessment of nutrition , 1937
Group Numbers examined Nutrition Excellent 1 Normal 2 Subnormal 3 Bad 4 -
Page -
Table 10— Assessment of nutrition in percentages 1937 and 1938
Group Nutrition Excellent 1 Normal 2 Sub-normal (and bad) 3 1937 1938 1937 1938 1937 1938 -
Page -
Particulars of attendances at nutrition centres during 1938 are shown below:—
-
Page -
Table 11— Summary of assessment of incomes (after deducting rent and insurance)
Classification. Total Income per head below 10s. a week. Income per head 10s. to 158. a week. Income per | head over 15s. a week. Income per head less than 5s. a week -
Page -
Table 12— Classification of results of haemoglobin estimations
Year. No. of children. Hb. 85 per cent. and below. Hb. below 80 per cent. -
Page -
Table 13 First re-inspections, 1938 (Percentages are given in italic type)
Defect treated No. of defects Treated Untreated By private doctor or dentist Under Council's scheme At other hospitals Discharg'd Improved. For observation only Still needing treatment Discharg'd Not discharg'd Dis-charg'd Not dis charg'd Discharg'd Not discharg'd -
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Second re.inspections, 1938
-
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The numbers of children treated at all the hospitals and centres under scheme during 1938 compared with 1937 were :—
Ailment 1937 1938 -
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Particulars of this section of the work are given in the following table:— Table 14— Deaf cases
Classification Patients Ears treated -
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In addition to the above there were:—
-
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Table 15 Special ear clinics—totals for all clinics
Cause of suppuration Total ears Cured Referred for mastoid operation Lapsed Still under treatment -
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Table 16
Particulars 1936 1937 1938 -
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Table 17— Admissions to rheumatism units, 1938
Sex Rheumatism and/or chorea with cardiac involvement Rheumatism and/or chorea with no cardiac involvement Total Number Percentage Number Percentage -
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Table 18— Discharges from rheumatism units, 1938
Sex Fit for elementary school or any employment Fit for P.D. school or light work only Permanently unfit Total Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage -
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Table 19— Census of chronic invalids, November, 1938. and preceding years
Ailment Cases Percentage of total 1935 1936 1937 1938 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
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The numbers of cases of infectious illness which occurred among children in the day elementary schools during the year, together with comparative figures for the preceding six years, are shown below:— Table 20
Year Diphtheria Scarlet fever Measles and German measles Whoopingcough Chickenpox Mumps Ophthalmia -
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Members of the school medical staff carried out a number of special investigations during the year into the possible causes of infectious diseases in schools, details of which are given hereunder:— Table 21
Division Diphtheria Scarlet fever Number of visits Number of depts. visited Number of children examined Number of visits Number of depts. visited Number of children examined -
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The following figures relating to this pre-operative immunisation during 1938 have been received from the divisional medical officer:—
Cyril Henry treatment centre Hanover Park treatment centre -
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The following figures indicate the numbers of measles cases reported among the elementary school population during this and the five previous epidemics. The figures relate to the epidemic period of nine months from November to July.
Date Cases reported from schools Average number on school rolls Attack rate per 1,000 -
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The following table shows the number of cases of ringworm of the scalp among the children in the Council's elementary schools reported during 1938 and in previous years:— Table 22
Year New cases Cured cases Cases outstanding Percentage of cures at the end of effected by X-ray the year treatment -
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The percentage proportion in each year of age of Schick negative and positive cases, tabulated according to sex, was as follows:— Table 23
Age Total tested Percentage Male Female Schick negative Schick positive Male Female Male Female -
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The following analysis of the 25 clinical cases indicates the number of children who had been subjected to immunisation at the residential establishments and the subsequent diagnosis at the hospital:—
Classification Hospital diagnosis -
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The following is an analysis of the number of children Dick-tested and immunised during 1937:— Table 24
Age Total tested Percentage Male Female Dick negative Dick positive Male Female Male Female -
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The nine day open-air schools for non-tuberculous children maintained by the Council have continued their excellent work. The following table gives the roll of these schools in December. 1938:—
Boys Girls Total -
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The numbers of children spending a period of stay at the residential convalescent camp schools during 1938 were : boys, 2,120 ; girls, 1,704 ; total, 3,824. In detail the numbers were:—
Provided schools:— Boys Girls -
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The success of this evening work was such that the Council decided to extend the scheme to the establishment of centres in parks and playgrounds during the summer holidays of 1938, and this decision was amply justified, particularly in respect of the centres situated in the parks. The following figures illustrate what was achieved :—
Number Average attendance -
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The numbers of individual children on free "meals" in December in the years 1934 to 1938, inclusive, were as follows :— Table 25
Meal 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
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The following table shows the number ot invitations issued and the total average attendance for all centres, compared with the distributions during the Easter and summer holidays, 1938:—
No. of invitations issued Average attendance daily Percentage of average attendance to invitations -
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Table 26
Defect Number nominated Suitable for admission to Returned to elementary school Invalided as for the time unfit for any school Notified under M.D. Acts -
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The following statement shows the nature of the conditions found among the children certified as suitable for admission to schools for the physically defective at the admission examinations during the year:— Table 27
Morbid conditions Boys Girls Total -
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The following statement gives an analysis of the 297 cases examined for admission to special schools for the physically defective, as a result of which the children were either returned to elementary schools or were invalided as for the time unfit for any school:— Table 28
Morbid conditions Elementary school Invalided -
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As a result of the rota examinations the following re-classifications took place :— Table 29
Transferred from schools for Re-classified for transfer to— P.D. school M.D. school Partially sighted school Blind school Deaf school Partially deaf school Open- air school Epileptic colony Swanley eye hospital -
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There were also 365 cases returned, on improvement, to elementary schools, or, when over 14 years of age, deemed to be no longer certifiable. The details are as follow:— Table 30
Action taken Special school classification P.D. M.D. Blind Partially sighted Deaf Partially deaf Total -
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The following table classifies the children who improved to such an extent that they were able to return from the schools for physically defective children to the ordinary elementary schools, or were " no longer certifiable " as defective between the ages of 14 and 16 years :— Table 31
Morbid conditions Cases deemed no longer certifiable Cases deemed fit to return to elementary schools -
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For purposes of comparison, classification has been made under headings similar to those in my report of the spring of 1931, which was included in Vol. Ill, part II of the Annual Report for that year (p. 66), and which dealt with the 218 children then in the Council's schools for the blind.
Defect Number and percentage -
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The following is an analysis of the 14 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum in the two schools for the blind in 1938, with reference to their year of birth, together with the corresponding particulars contained in the annual report for 1931:—
Year of birth No. of children Year of birth No. of children -
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The following table shows the number of children notified by the education authority under section 2 (2) of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, as amended by the Mental Deficiency Act, 1927, during the year 1938 (the figures in brackets being those for the previous year):—
(a) Feeble-minded— Boys Girls -
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Table 32
Classification Malo Female Total Grand total under headings -
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During the year 2,188 children and young persons were admitted, of whom 1,732 were male and 456 were female. There was a decrease of 143 in the admission rate compared with 1937. The variation in admission rate is shown below:—
1930 1935 1936 1937 1938 -
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The various physical and mental illnesses treated are set out below :—
Condition No of cases Condition No. of cases -
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The following is a record of admissions during 1938 and the two preceding years:—
1938 1937 1936 -
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Subjoined is a record of the charges. In many cases this grouping is misleading, in that so frequently the delinquency is found to be multiple in type. The increase in the frequency of breach of recognizances may appear to imply a failure in the probation system; but equally it may imply increased vigilance and zeal on the part of the probationer officers.
1938 1937 1936 -
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The following is a list of the hospital schools with their classification and nominal school accommodation:— Table 33
Hospital school Classification Nomina) accommodation Number of children In hospital 31-12-38* On school roll at end of winter term* -
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Table 34— Incidence of plantar warts
Division Number of children examined Number of children suffering from plantar warts Boys Girls Mixed Boys Girls Mixed -
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To get the figures for infants more accurately, the numbers for infants' departments were taken out separately, with the following results:—
Number examined Number suffering from plantar warts -
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The conditions which led to refusal in the other 47 cases were:—
Boys Girls Total -
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Table 35
Category Number examined Number fit Number rejected Number who withdrew after being referred for remediable defects or were not due for reexamination until 1939 Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female -
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STATISTICAL TABLES Table I —Medical inspection, 1938 (a) Routine inspections
Group Boys Girls Total -
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(c) Children found at routine medical inspection to require treatment (excluding nutrition, uncleanliness and dental disease)
Age group Inspected Found to require treatment Percentage Defective vision Other conditions in Table II Total -
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Table II ( a ) (1) Defects found at medical inspections of all children in elementary and special schools
Disease or defect Routine inspections— Defects Special inspections— Defects Requiring treatment Requiring observation. Requiring treatment Requiring observation Elementary schools Special schools Elementary schools Special schools -
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Table II (continued) (b) Classification of the nutrition of children inspected during the year in the routine age groups
roup Number of children inspected A (Excellent) B (Normal) C (Slightly subnormal) D (Bad) No. Percentage No. Percentage No. Percentage No. Percentage -
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Table III (a) Exceptional children in London in 1938
Classification At certified special schools At public elementary schools At other institutions* At no school or institution Total -
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Table III (continued) (b) Return of children suffering from more than one defect, 1938
Delect Type of school Day M.D. Residential P.D. Residential deaf Epileptic colony Day P.D. Certified hospital schls. At other institutions Total -
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Table IV Treatment table (a) Group I— Minor ailments, excluding uncleanliness, for which see group V
Disease or defect Defects treated or under treatment Under Council's scheme Otherwise Total -
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( b ) Group II— Defective vision and squint (excluding eye defects treated as minor ailments, for which see group I)
Disease or defect Defects dealt with Under Council's scheme Otherwise Total -
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Table IV ( continued) (c) Group III— Treatment of defects of the throat and nose—number of defects
Defect Received operative treatment Total Received other forms of treatment Total number treated Under Council's scheme Private practitioner or hospital -
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Table V Medical inspection—number of children examined, 1928-1938
Year Routine examinations Special examinations Re-inspections Examinations at special enquiries into outbreaks of infectious disease Special ear inspection centre attendances Rheumatism supervisory centre attendances -
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Table VI Medical treatment—number of cases treated under the Council's scheme and by other agencies, 1928-1938
Year Minor ailments† Vision Nose and throat Dental Under the Council's scheme Otherwise Under the Council's scheme Otherwise Under the Council's scheme Otherwise Under the Council's scheme Other wise* -
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Table VII Medical inspection of students in higher education institutions, 1938
Classification Council secondary schools Other secondary schools Counoil and other junior tech. schools Training colleges Total Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls Male Female Male Female