View report page

39
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
FOR THE YEAR 1949.
The following is a report upon the schools and health of the
schoolchildren of Acton for 1949.
All existing clinics were open during the year. Furthermore,
the services of a chiropodist were made available to the children
during 1949 and weekly sessions were opened at Palmerston Road
Mission Hall for that purpose.
One case of Diphtheria was notified during the year, occuring
in a child who had not had his boost dose. The percentage of
schoolchildren inoculated against diphtheria was well maintained
and on the whole showed a slight rise. Further details will be
found in the report of the Medical Officer of Health.
The School Meals Service showed considerable increase throughout
the year.
During 1942 an Acton expectant mother evacuated to Suffolk
gave birth in May to triplets girls, and returned to Acton in November
of the same year. All three children lived and were seen at
School Inspection as Entrants in 1946, and again in 1949. The
parents have cared for the children both in regard to body and
mind, so that the children do not realise that being triplets is
abnormal. I feel that placing on written record the observations
made at the Welfare Clinic and School Inspections is of interest
in view of the fact that the three children are strong and healthy.
Twin births are common (one in 89) but triplet births are rare