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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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| 1949 % | 1950 % | 1951 % | 1952 % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 year old | Boys | 78.2 | 78.3 | 77.8 | 75.7 |
| Girls | 76.5 | 76.3 | 76.7 | 73.4 | |
| 11 year old | Boys | 80.1 | 80.9 | 80.3 | 80.3 |
| Girls | 76.9 | 77.9 | 77.0 | 77.3 | |
| Leavers | Boys | 79.7 | 80.1 | 80.7 | 80.5 |
| Girls | 76.0 | 76.5 | 76.1 | 76.6 | |
| Other ages | Boys | 77.4 | 78.8 | 79.8 | 80.4 |
| Girls | 73.4 | 75.2 | 75.0 | 76.8 |
A further table shows the percentage of children referred for treatment of defective vision:
| Total | 1949 % | 1950 % | 1951 % | already wearing spectacles | 1952 Percentage not wearing spectacles | total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 year old | Boys | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.0 | 0.7 | 6.4 | 7.1 |
| Girls | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 0.7 | 6.8 | 7.5 | |
| 11 year old | Boys | 9.3 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 2.0 | 6.2 | 8.2 |
| Girls | 10.4 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 2.5 | 7.0 | 9.5 | |
| Leavers | Boys | 9.3 | 9.2 | 8.6 | 2.7 | 5.5 | 8.2 |
| Girls | 12.4 | 10.8 | 11.3 | 4.0 | 7.2 | 11.2 | |
| Other ages | Boys | 9.3 | 8.5 | 7.3 | 2.1 | 6.3 | 8.4 |
| Girls | 12.0 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 3.0 | 7.7 | 10.7 |
As can be seen a proportion of those referred for treatment of defective vision were
already wearing spectacles. This proportion rose from one-tenth at age seven to about
one-third at age 15. The higher total percentages of children referred for treatment at
older ages were thus almost wholly due to the need for adjustment of lenses with the
passage of time.
The two tables above show that, in 1952, the incidence of defective vision and the
percentage of pupils referred for treatment of defective vision remained fairly stable
compared with the preceding years. As experienced over many years the recorded
incidence of defective vision was greater among girls than boys.
Squint was most prevalent in the entrant group falling to an insignificant level in
the leaver group. The percentage of pupils of all ages referred for treatment of squint
was 1.1 per cent. compared with 1.0 per cent. in 1951,0.9 per cent. in 1950 and 1.1 per
cent. in 1949.
Co-operation
of parents
and care
committee
The attendance of over 90 per cent. parents at routine inspections showed that their
co-operation, especially for the earlier age groups, was quite good. Care committee
representatives attended about 94 per cent. of the routine inspections, except for the
'leaver' and 'other ages' groups which include the grammar and technical schools
where the committees do not function.
Choice of
employment
Children advised against particular forms of employment formed 15.0 per cent. of
both sexes examined.
Forms of employment involving eye strain, those requiring normal vision and heavy
manual work, again headed the list of contra-indications for both sexes. Next came
exposure to bad weather and prolonged standing or quick movement. Details are given
in Table 16 (page 182).
Re-inspections
Each child referred for treatment is re-inspected by the school doctor a few months
after medical inspection and further re-inspections are made, if necessary, to ensure that,
as far as possible, every child gets adequate treatment. During the year, 121,751 such
re-inspections were carried out.