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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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| Total Number of inspections | Number found to be verminous* | Percentage found to be verminous | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | |||
| Boys | 370,240 | 2,048 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Girls | 421,602 | 7,591 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
| Infants | 336,192 | 4,451 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| 1,128,034 | 14,090 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.2 | |
* ' Verminous in this context, has a special meaning in that it includes cases with only one ' nit' (ovum), as well as
cases with live vermin present.
During the year the number of individual children found to be verminous at these
inspections, as distinct from the number of occasions on which vermin was found (in
which one child might appear more than once), was 7,772 (8,238 in 1956, 9,613 in 1955
and 11,801 in 1954). The total of advice cards issued during the year was 8,830 compared
with 9,614 in 1956. Children who attended a cleansing centre after the issue of advice
cards numbered 6,183 (6,452 in 1956) ; the number of statutory notices served was 998
(1,223) ; 243 (325) of the children concerned attended voluntarily, and 704 (853) were
cleansed compulsorily.
The diagram below shows how the percentage of ' verminous' pupils has fallen
since 1946.
PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL PUPILS ON THE SCHOOL ROLLS FOUND
TO BE VERMINOUS
Scabies, impetigo and ringworm
Pupils treated for scabies totalled 697 compared with 762 in 1956. The number of
' verminous ' pupils treated at bathing centres fell by 1,494 to 8,175 while treatments
needed decreased by 983 to 13,787.
Cases of impetigo treated at minor ailment and bathing centres numbered 2,433
compared with 2,766 in 1956.
The incidence of scalp ringworm showed a rise, with 17 cases recorded compared
with nil in 1956 and 9 in 1955.
Employment of children
During the year, 4,985 medical examinations were carried out locally in respect of the
issue of employment certificates. In addition 315 medical examinations of children were
carried out in respect of employment under licence in public entertainments.