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 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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162
(b) Uncleanliness.—Systematic examination of children
at routine cleanliness inspection was carried out by
school nurses throughout the year.
The following table shows the results of cleanliness inspections for the past two years :—
| 1937 | 1938 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of examinations of children in the schools by School Nurses | 39,978 | 39,521 |
| Number of individual children found unclean | 1,327 | 1,008 |
| Number of uncleanliness findings | 2,289 | 2,044 |
During the year, 4 children were cleansed by the
Local Authority, and in seven cases legal proceedings
were taken under the Education Act, 1921.
There has been a considerable decrease in the number
of children found suffering from uncleanliness in the
schools during the year under review, as compared
with the previous year, although the number of
children examined was approximately the same. This
may be in some measure a true reflection of the
improved housing accommodation and facilities provided
for the people of Barking during the last few
years.
(c) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.—
Children suffering from minor ailments are referred
by school medical officers, school nurses, teachers and
in some cases by private medical practitioners to the
minor ailments clinics.