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
Ealing 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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Classification of General Condition.
| 'A' Good | 2,878 |
| 'B' Fair | 4,580 |
| 'C' Poor | 44 |
| Total | 7,502 |
Defects requiring Treatment found at Routine Medical Inspection.
| 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Diseases | 695 | 600 | 540 | 581 |
| Defective Vision | 433 | 368 | 290 | 366 |
| Squint | 49 | 31 | 43 | 43 |
| Defects of Hearing | 51 | 73 | 93 | 116 |
| Middle Ear Diseases | 26 | 26 | 18 | 27 |
| Nose and Throat Diseases | 389 | 339 | 377 | 382 |
| Speech Defects.. | 47 | 29 | 37 | 44 |
| Enlarged Glands | 10 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Heart—Circulation conditions | 13 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| Lung Diseases | 111 | 107 | 84 | 93 |
| Hernia | 4 | 4 | 7 | 9 |
| Postural Defects | 30 | 40 | 18 | 38 |
| Flat Foot | 91 | 60 | 42 | 110 |
| Epilepsy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
There was a full year of patch testing of school entrants in 1954
2765 children were examined, of these 140 were found to be positive
reactors and these were subsequently X-rayed at the Chest Clinic.
ASTHMA CLINIC.
During the past year many children with recurrent upper
respiratory infections, apart from asthma, have been included in the
breathing exercise classes. During the year 2,782 attendances
made.
In every case early treatment has proved beneficial. We have
managed to treat children as young as three years of age successfully.
The recent acquisition of two portable mirrors has greatly
facilitated breathing instruction.
We have continued to make allergy tests with the Bencard's
testing equipment and refer any suitable case to St. Mary's
Allergy- Clinic. We have continued to have referrals from many
hospitals including The Brompton Hospital.
CHILD GUIDANCE CENTRE
1. New Cases referred in 1954.
In 1954 236 new cases were referred to the Centre, 178 from
Ealing, 78 from Acton. 36 (23 from Acton) were brought forward
from the 1953 waiting list, making a total of 292 ; an excess of 38