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 1949

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

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Table: The numbers and percentages of children seen at routine inspections who were referred for treatment (other than for infestation or teeth) in 1949 are shown in the following table and for comparison the percentages for 1948 are also given:— Pupils referred for treatment

The numbers and percentages of children seen at routine inspections who were referred for treatment (other than for infestation or teeth) in 1949 are shown in the following table and for comparison the percentages for 1948 are also given:— Pupils referred for treatment

Age group and sexNumber of pupils examinedNumber of pupils referred for treatment
No.Percentage
19491948
NurseryBoys5,04883516.516.2
Girls4,97372314.514.4
Boys and Girls10,0211,55815.515.3
EntrantsBoys20,7753,88518.719.1
Girls19,5123,35417.216.5
Boys and Girls40,2877,23918.017.8
7 years oldBoys15,1453,27321.621.8
Girls14,3962,96620.621.2
Boys and Girls29,5416,23921.121.5
11 years oldBoys15,9843,00418.819.0
Girls15,7413,21420.421.4
Boys and Girls31,7256,21819.620.2
LeaversBoys13,4291,93114.414.8
Girls12,9532,44318.920.3
Boys and Girls26,3824,37416.617.5
Other agesBoys11,6322,09518.019.6
Girls10,4832,47023.623.3
Boys and Girls22,1154,56520.621.3
TotalBoys and Girls160,071*30,56018.919.3

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*Does not include special schools or training colleges.

Table: The following table shows the percentages of the principal defects in children of all age groups inspected at routine inspections and referred for treatment or observation, with comparable figures for 1938, 1947 and 1948:— Defects found on medical inspection to require treatment or observation

The following table shows the percentages of the principal defects in children of all age groups inspected at routine inspections and referred for treatment or observation, with comparable figures for 1938, 1947 and 1948:— Defects found on medical inspection to require treatment or observation

1938194719481949
Numbers examined169,995142,064156,304160,071
Percentages
Skin diseases0.801.201.221.22
External eye diseases0.530.670.610.58
Defective hearing0.140.320.390.41
Otitis media0.510.470.700.75
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids7.557.618.168.91
Defective speech0.160.430.530.62
Enlarged cervical glands0.630.991.011.33
Heart and circulation1.000.620.730.68
Lung disease (not T.B.)1.151.321.301.44
Orthopaedic defects(a)4.024.674.66
Defects of nervous system(a)0.330.300.34
Psychological defects(a)0.420.720.75
Anaemia0.310.310.290.31

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(a) No exact comparison can be given. New classification introduced in 1947.
The incidence of skin diseases though higher than in 1938 remained stable;
it was again the highest in the leaver, girls, group.
Dealing with the significant increases in 1949 figures over those of 1948, the
increase in otitis media occurred in the entrant and 7 year age groups of both sexes
and may be associated with the difficulty compared with pre-war of obtaining
operative treatment for adenoids and enlarged tonsils. Enlarged tonsils and
adenoids increased in incidence in nursery and entrant groups. Increased incidence