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 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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61
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE
ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC.
Orthopaedic treatment in Barking provides massage, medical electricity,
plasters, splints, remedial exercises, including those for flat feet, etc.
As I have reported before there is a modern duo-therapy lamp and an up-to-date
therapeutic switch table at the Orthopaedic Clinic.
During the year you have employed two full-time masseuses, and as and
when the occasion arises these masseuses even visit people in their own homes, in
order that some necessary treatment may be completed.
The work at the Orthopaedic Clinic is linked up with that of your Hospital—
one of the masseuses attending at the Hospital to treat cases of acute anterior
poliomyelitis, and to treat difficult posture in cases recovering from diphtheria.
It is well known that children recovering from diphtheria are oftentime very weak
indeed upon their legs, and I am very appreciative of the co-operation which has
been achieved between the Hospital Staff and the Orthopaedic Clinic.
The following tables, which are prepared on lines similar to those previously used, show the work which has been carried out at the Orthopaedic Clinic amongst toddlers.
| No. of primary examinations by Orthopaedic Surgeon | 130 |
| No. of re-examinations by Orthopaedic Surgeon | 175 |
| The cases dealt with for the first time during 1937 were referred for the following conditions :— | |
| (a) Deformities—Bones and Joints. | |
| (1) Congenital: | |
| Flexion deformity—digit-—hand | 1 |
| Deformed toes | 3 |
| Deformed cranium | 1 |
| (2) Acquired: | |
| Pes planus | 9 |
| Genu valgum | 35 |
| Bowed tibiae | 16 |
| Hallux valgus | 2 |
| Genu varum | 6 |
| 73 | |