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 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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28
Complaints
A large number of complaints of insanitary and overcrowded home conditions
were received from the public. These were referred to the health departments of the
appropriate boroughs.
| Classification | Certified blind | Not blind | Grand total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Total | Male | Female | Total | ||
| New cases | 287* | 530* | 817* | 91 | 170 | 261 | 1078* |
| Previously blind, still blind | 33 | 30 | 63 | — | — | — | 63 |
| Previously not blind, now certified | 18 | 35 | 53 | — | — | — | 53 |
| Previously hot blind, still not blind | — | — | — | 30 | 69 | 99 | 99 |
| Previously blind, now not blind | — | — | — | 14 | 4 | 18 | 18 |
| Total | 338* | 595* | 933* | 135 | 243 | 378 | 1311* |
* These figures include 10 boys and 9 girls under 5 years of age.
The standards used are those prescribed by the Ministry of Health (Circular
1353-5.10.33). The reason in the majority of cases " previously blind, now not
blind " is that cataracts have been removed surgically.
In addition 201 certificates were accepted from other authorities, hospitals and
private ophthalmologists as follows :—
Blind persons 193 (82 male, including 4 children under 5 years, 111 female)
Not blind persons 8 (2 male, 6 female)
The causes of blindness in the 23 children under five years of age who were certified during the year were :—
| Retrolental fibroplasia | 11 |
| Optic atrophy | 6 |
| Glioma | 2 |
| Microphthalmos | 1 |
| Cataract | 1 |
| Buphthalmos | 1 |
| T.B. meningitis | 1 |
No case among these children was attributable to ophthalmia neonatorum which
has practically been eliminated as a cause of blindness. Statistics relating to the
incidence and effects of this disease will be found on page 20. The number of cases
of retrolental fibroplasia is alarming and enquiry is being made as to its alleged
association with prematurity.
The number of partially-sighted persons recommended for inclusion in the
Observation Register was 228 (82 male, 146 female).
Blind persons examined as to suitability for training and the results were :—
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suitable for training | 19 | 8 | 27 |
| Unsuitable for training | — | — | — |