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 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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| 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Special' Medical Inspections | 'Urgents' and 'Specials'(b) | 26,061 | 23,618 | 27,262 |
| Employment Certificates | 3,019 | 3,984 | 4,604 | |
| School journeys | 20,489 | 19,375 | 19,503 | |
| Miscellaneous (c) | 11,905 | 13,364 | 8,223 | |
| Total special inspections | 61,474 | 60,341 | 59,592 | |
| Re-inspections | 'Nutrition ' cases(d) | 57,851 | 62,708 | 64,909 |
| Other re-inspections | 121,751 | 115,622 | 107,131 | |
| Total re-inspections | 179,602 | 178,330 | 172,040 | |
| Grand Total | 448,230 | 449,597 | 437,721 |
NOTES:-
(a) Pupils in nursery schools and classes, special schools, secondary and technical schools and colleges, and students
in training colleges.
(b) Pupils brought urgently to the attention of the school doctor by parents, heads, school nurse, care committee, etc.
(c) Handicapped pupils for their special defect, candidates for higher awards, nautical school etc., children engaged
in theatrical employment, T.B. contacts, etc.
(d) Pupils receiving school meals, extra milk or vitamin capsules on the recommendation of the school doctor (see
page 97).
At general medical inspections about one pupil in six is found to require treatment
for defects other than infestation or teeth. The percentages of pupils referred for treatment
(other than for infestation or teeth) in the various age groups, with comparable figures
for preceding years are as follows:
| Age group and sex | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrants | Boys | 17.4 | 15.6 | 15.1 | 13.8 |
| Girls | 15.3 | 14.1 | 13.4 | 11.9 | |
| 7 years old | Boys | 19.8 | 18.9 | 17.9 | 16.8 |
| Girls | 18.6 | 18.4 | 17.2 | 15.4 | |
| 11 years old | Boys | 16.5 | 16.1 | 15.8 | 14.5 |
| Girls | 18.2 | 18.0 | 17.6 | 15.9 | |
| Leavers | Boys | 12.2 | 12.2 | 12.7 | 11.7 |
| Girls | 16.6 | 16.9 | 16.0 | 15.6 | |
| Total Boys and Girls1 | 17.0 | 16.2 | 15.8 | 14.8 | |
* Exclusive of special schools and training colleges, but inclusive of 'otherage' general medical inspections.
The following table shows the percentages of defects (other than infestation, teeth or errors of refraction) found in pupils at general medical inspections, and for which the children were referred for treatment or observation, with comparable figures for previous years:
| 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin diseases | 1.13 | 1.14 | 1.29 | 1.39 |
| External eye diseases | 0.71 | 0.72 | 0.75 | 0.72 |
| Defective hearing | 0.51 | 0.58 | 0.64 | 0.59 |
| Otitis media | 0.87 | 0.94 | 0.97 | 0.74 |
| Enlarged tonsils and adenoids | 8.44 | 8.26 | 7.61 | 6.92 |
| Defective speech | 0.63 | 0.72 | 0.75 | 0.72 |
| Enlarged cervical glands | 1.67 | 1.71 | 1.62 | 1.45 |
| Heart and circulation | 0.80 | 0.78 | 0.84 | 0.87 |
| Lung disease (not T.B.) | 1.95 | 1.83 | 1.77 | 1.55 |
| Orthopaedic defects | 4.52 | 4.83 | 5.25 | 5.10 |
| Defects of nervous system | 0.31 | 0.41 | 0.37 | 0.37 |
| Psychological defects | 0.72 | 0.81 | 0.86 | 0.97 |
| Anaemia | 0.33 | 0.34 | 0.26 | 0.19 |
| Enuresis | * | * | 1.76 | 1.56 |