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
Dagenham 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]
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a chance to live as near normal a life as possible in their families and in their schools, and to this end the progress that has been made is entirely due to the exceptional degree of harmony, enthusiasm and happiness in their work that all the staff at the centre have shown in these first months.
| Name | Age | Condition on admission | Progress—December 1960 |
|---|---|---|---|
| J.E. Spastic | 2 yrs. | Cannot stand or sit without support. No words. Does not feed himself. Smiles | Stands with support. Sits. Feeds himself. Few words—short sentences |
| P.J- Spastic | 4 yrs. | Cannot stand or crawl. Can sit. ? No speech— ? shy | Can crawl. Stands with support, few steps with support. Speech-chatters when not shy |
| A.A. Spastic | 4 yrs. | Very severe-cannot hold his head up. Understands words. Smiles Severe chest infections | Short stay (2 months). Recurrent chest infections. Own doctor advised home care. Home visit-no change |
| S.F. | 4 yrs. | Cannot walk without support. Walks on knees. Speech poor | Runs on tip toes, walks slowly on full feet. Speech much improved—long sentences |
| S.L. Spastic | 5 yrs. | Cannot walk or sit without support. Moves on his back. Speech attempts sounds (excluded from school on physical condition) | Little progress-can now sit. Speech much improved. Understands and can identify objects at 4 year-old level |
| A.S. Spastic, Epileptic Ament, Blind, ? E | 2 yrs. )eaf | Can only lie. Chronic chest infections | No change—except improvement in general health |
| T.C. Spastic Microcephalic | 6 mths. | Very young—completely rigid. Difficult with feeds ?mental defective | General improvement. Mixed feeds-full diet. Takes notice-less retarded |
| S.J. Hemiplegic | 3 yrs. | No use in right arm (? refuses). Cannot play with children at home. General condition satisfactory | Will use hand and leg with encouragement-walk improving |
| A.B. Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalic | 4 yrs. | Paralysed legs. Uses arms well. Very intelligent, manipulates wheelchair | Admitted to hospital for operation. Died post operatively |
| A.H. Muscular Dystrophy | 4 yrs. | Abnormal gait. ? cause unknown fully investigated | Slight improvement in walking |
| E.Y. Old Poliomyelitis | 5 yrs. | Walks very badly. Admitted for intensive physiotherapy for short time. Very active | To be admitted to ordinary school on trial in January 1961 |
| S.J. Congenital heart | 4 yrs. | Post operative. Still cyanosed needs rest but very active | Much improved. Very slightly cyanosed |
| B.K. Congenital heart | 3 yrs. | Extremely severe. Very poor condition | Did not attend after 2 weeks. Home visit—marked deterioration |
| L.T. Congenital heart | 2 yrs. | Very young-for trial admission because of 2nd floor accommodation at home | Short stay-recurrent bronchitis. Admitted to hospital |