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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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Pupils advised against particular forms of employment again formed 15.4 per cent,
of both sexes examined and work requiring normal vision and that involving eye strain
again headed the list of contra-indications for both sexes. Next came normal colour
vision (for boys only), heavy manual work, exposure to bad weather, work in dusty
atmosphere, and prolonged standing or quick movement.
The following table gives the mam contra-indications disclosed at the medical inspections of 22,500 school leavers during 1956 :
| Contra-indications | Boys | Girls |
|---|---|---|
| Occupations involving : | ||
| Heavy manual work | 245 | 193 |
| Sedentary work | 37 | 20 |
| Indoor work | 10 | 7 |
| Exposure to bad weather | 137 | 141 |
| Wide changes of temperature | 73 | 41 |
| Work in damp atmosphere | 122 | 91 |
| Work in dusty atmosphere | 146 | 86 |
| Much stooping | 30 | 29 |
| Climbing | 48 | 55 |
| Work near moving machinery or moving vehicles | 57 | 49 |
| Prolonged standing, much walking or quick movement from place to place | 87 | 141 |
| Eye strain | 617 | 795 |
| Normal vision | 765 | 616 |
| Normal colour vision | 330 | 1 |
| Normal use of hands | 12 | 10 |
| Exposure of hands to moisture, chemicals, etc | 21 | 39 |
| Handling or preparation of food | 83 | 86 |
| Normal hearing | 76 | 47 |
| Other | 19 | 13 |
Employment of children
The bye-laws governing the employment of children require, inter alia, that the school
medical officer shall certify that the employment of the child will not be prejudicial to
his health and physical development and will not render him unfit to obtain the proper
benefit of the education provided for him. Such a certificate is valid only (i) during a
period of six months from the date of its issue, and (ii) for the class of employment
referred to in the certificate.
During the year, 5,377 medical examinations were carried out locally in respect of
the issue of employment certificates. In addition, medical examinations were carried
out at the County Hall of children concerning their employment under licence in public
entertainments, comprising 182 boys and 267 girls.
Children under five years of age
At the end of 1956 there were 168 nursery classes with accommodation for approximately
5,040 children aged 3 to 5 years. In addition to a mid-day meal, these children had
one-third of a pint of milk daily and cod liver oil and other vitamin preparations;
medicaments containing iron were also prescribed for those who required them.
Children in nursery schools and classes attend during the ordinary school hours of
primary schools.
At the end of the year there were 22 maintained day nursery schools with accommodation
for 1,310 children from 2 to 5 years, three nursery centres each providing
part-time education for 80 to 100 children, half of whom attend in the mornings and
half in the afternoons, and five assisted nursery schools with accommodation for 230
children.
School health visitors attend nursery classes and schools frequently and each child
is examined every term by a school medical officer.
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