London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Ealing 1925

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]

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—90—
(d) Skin Diseases.— The cases of diseases of the skin which
were treated are shown in Table IV where it is indicated that of
373 children referred for treatment 299 were treated at the Clinic
and 74 otherwise.
During the year 24 cases of ringworm of the head were found.
Seventeen of these were treated by means of X-Rays by Dr. Arthur,
the treatment in all cases being successful, and the children being
allowed to return to school in about a month after.
Impetigo furnished 177 cases, of which 146 were treated at
the School Clinic. Only three cases of scabies were discovered
during the year and the cure of these cases was quickly effected.
(e) External Eye Disease.— The children referred for
external eye disease numbered 47, of whom 32 were treated at
the School Clinic. The diseases included ten cases of blepharitis,
fourteen of conjunctivitis and twenty-three other conditions.
(/) Defective Vision.— During the year 177 children were
referred for the testing of refraction. The School Oculist examined
192 children with errors of refractio:1., and twenty were examined
by private practitioners or at hospitals and two were dealt with
otherwise. Glasses were prescribed and supplied in 170 of the
cases attending the Clinic. All children provided with glasses
are kept under supervision, and their eyesight is re-tested periodically.
In the case of children referred to the Oculist and found to
be suffering from lesser degrees of myopia or short sight, all reading
at home and home lessons are prohibited and the head-teachers are
instructed to see that these children do no near work at school.
Children with high degrees of myopia are taught orally.
Printed instructions are being issued to parents and head-teachers
with regard to the care of these short-sighted children.
Eighteen cases of squint came under observation. Most cases
of squint develop at about the age of three years. A number of
these are referred to the Oculist from the Child Welfare Centre
and when suitable glasses are worn there is a fair prospect of the
squint being cured. A number of parents, however, cease to take