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 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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felt for some time that the preparations in common use were no longer as
efficient as they had been as lice were becoming resistant. The new preparation
appears to be very successful and will be used in all cases within
a few months of the end of the year under review as stocks of the older
remedies are exhausted.
Our efforts appear to be meeting with some success as 5% fewer
children were found unclean for the first time, and 23% fewer at follow-up
visits. Thirteen children compared to twenty-two last year were treated for
head vermin at the Cleansing Station. A continuing pressure will be kept up
towards eradication of the problem, and it is hoped that next year will show
a much more encouraging picture.
Scabies appears also to have reached its peak and the number of
children (21) attending the cleansing centre for this condition was markedly
down on last year's figure (37). However, many general practitioners are
now treating the disease, which is not notifiable, so we may not be aware of
the full extent of infection. It is too early yet to celebrate victory.
Table 5. Cleanliness Inspections
| Number of pupils inspected for cleanliness | 50,555 |
| Number of pupils inspected at follow-up visits | 1,564 |
| Number found unclean for first time in 1971 | 382 |
| Number of occasions in which pupils were found unclean at follow-up visits | 104 |
Skin Defects
Verrucae are still a cause of concern as unfortunately the picture here
is not quite so hopeful. The number of children treated at Minor Ailment
Clinics for the condition increased by 12% to 1,403. This represents a very
great proportion of the Nurses' work at these clinics. There were 10,066
attendances by children, an average of just over 7 attendances per child,
which demonstrates how recalcitrant to treatment are these warts on the
feet. However, an extra clinic was begun during the year in a general practitioner's
surgery to cover a further area of the Borough. The increase may be
partly accounted for by the children treated there. Continuing effort in prevention
through health education of children, parents and teachers is being
made in addition to the provision of treatment.
Apart from scabies, which has been referred to under the section on
Personal Hygiene above, there have been no other skin infections of
particular note during the year.