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
Croydon 1926
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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365
Special Cases.
1,148 "special" cases received treatment. These comprised
(a) children referred by the School Medical Officer as urgently
requiring attention, (b) children who required dental treatment
prior to having an operation for the removal of their tonsils and
adenoids, (c) cases sent by the Tuberculosis Officer, (d) children
referred by Head Teachers as needing treatment for acute conditions.
Special Forms of Treatment.
1 case of cleft palate.
6 simple regulations.
In 3 cases partial dentures were provided to replace inciser
teeth lost for various reasons.
The following table gives particulars as to the work done ir certain directions at each session in 1925 and 1926:—
| 1925. | 1926. | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of New Cases per session | 7.7 | 8.3 |
| ,, Attendances ,, | 11.9 | 11.9 |
| ,, Fillings „ | 7.6 | 5.7 |
| ,, Extractions ,, | 11.8 | 13.5 |
| ,, Other Operations | 0.8 | 1.1 |
| ,, "Gas" Cases during the year | 475 | 1495 |
For details of the school dental work done during the year,
reference should be made to Table IV. in the Appendix.
Preventive and Educative Measures.
The talks to parents after school inspections, and at the chair
side, were continued throughout the year. Tooth brushes have
been supplied (at cost price) both at the dental clinic and at
Maternity and Child Welfare Centres.
Particulars will be given in the general Public Health Report
as to the extended dental work under the Maternity and Child
Welfare and the Tuberculosis Schemes.
Crippling Defects and Orthopaedics.
Apart from conditions such as club-foot, with which a child
is born—but which can be greatly improved or cured granted
sufficiently early treatment—the three main diseases causing
crippling are rickets, infantile paralysis and tuberculosis; while
other crippling arises from conditions of debility.
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