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

Barking 1932

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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Table: The cases dealt with for the first time during 1932 were referred for the following conditions, some children having more than one defect:—

The cases dealt with for the first time during 1932 were referred for the following conditions, some children having more than one defect:—

(a) Deformities—Bones and Joints—
(1) Congenital:
Asymmetry—skull2
Prominent Ziphoid Sternum1
Bowed Tibia;1
Abnormality—Digit II—hand1
(2) Acquired:
Genu Valgum21
Genu Varum2
Bowed Tibiae27
Bowed Femora1
Fracture—Clavicle1
57
(b) Muscular Deformities—
(1) Congenital:
Talipes4
Torticollis and Hematoma12
Webbed Digits—feet2
(2) Acquired:
Pes Plano-valgus35
Weakness—back and neck muscles1
(c) Paralysis—54
(1) Acquired:
Anterior poliomyelitis1
1
Total defects found112

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The prevention of crippling is a matter to which Barking has given serious
attention. Arrangements are sometimes made for children, so soon as they are born,
to see the Orthopaedic Surgeon. This is not a mere figure of speech—it is actually
true.
In Barking, where a very large percentage indeed of the children are known to
your staff, it is, I am happy to say, only exceptional that a child grows up with any
serious deformity.