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109
(i) Heart Disease and Rheumatism.—Of approximately seven thousand children
examined at routine inspections all save 267 were found to be what is considered
normal.
I believe, however, that here we have a vast field for research, and I fear the
results of such an investigation would be to show that we are so used to listening to
hearts which have been affected by rheumatism, and which have somewhat less than
fully recovered, that we look upon these cases as usual, and for all practical purposes
the word " usual " may be looked upon as the word " normal." Now that the
scientific experts have made instruments which can accurately measure noises,
I am sure that an investigation could be carried out on the relative intensities of
the first and second heart sounds among ordinary children in different parts of
England, and I am inclined to believe we should find in Barking, which is in the
Thames Valley, that generally speaking the second heart sound is accentuated.
(j) Tuberculosis.—As I have said in previous years the figures relating to
Tuberculosis are small but this is not a true figure for indicating the amount of
Tuberculosis in children of school age. These children are frequently absent from
school for long periods and may be away from school when the inspections are held.
Seven cases of Tuberculosis amongst children of school age were notified to
the Medical Officer of Health during the year. Of these, one was pulmonary, and
six were non-pulmonary. In addition, four notified cases of Tuberculosis
amongst school-children were transferred to this area. Of these one was
pulmonary, and three were non-pulmonary.
The following table shows the position with regard to notification of Tuberculosis
amongst children of school-age during 1935 :—
Notified during 1935
(including transfers)
Pulmonary
2
Non-Pulmonary
9
Total
11
De-notified (of the above)
Pulmonary
Non-Pulmonary
2
Total
2