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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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60
Children with clinical symptoms of sore throat having
infected tonsils and enlarged adenoids are referred for
adeno-tonsillectomy.
In a number of cases all the above mentioned symptoms
were treated successfully by conservative means, such as
diastolisation, politerisation and Eustachian catheterization
and breathing exercises.
In cases where sinusitis was confirmed by X ray examination
Proetz displacement treatment was practised.
During the last year we have continued with hearing tests with the pure tone Audiometer; one was able in many cases after treatment by subsequent tests to show improvements in the child's hearing.
| 1956 | 1957 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of new cases | 135 | 109 |
| Number of re-inspections | 275 | 343 |
| Total attendances | 410 | 452 |
| Number treatment advised | 242 | 296 |
| Number operation advised | 83 | 80 |
Audiometry Report
| 1956 | 1957 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of schools visited | 16 | 34 |
| Number of children examined | 6,225 | 7,737 |
| Number of children with hearing loss | 98 | 225 |
| Number of pure tone tests | 156 | 5,365 |
| Number referred to E.N.T. Specialist | 81 | 74 |
It will be observed that figures relating to pure
tone tests are far in excess of the previous year This
is because during the year the gramophone audiometer was
replaced by a pure tone audiometer This simplified the
testing, particularly when defective hearing was present,
since it was possible to carry out a test over the com
plete range immediately and so avoided the delays caused
by having to arrange for special tests. It was also possible
to introduce testing for younger age groups. This
was not possible with the gramophone audiometer.
Another advantage of the new machine is that it is
portable and the audiometrician is able to examine larger
numbers in school as distinct from clinic sessions This
is reflected in the figures relating to school visits.
The apparent increase in the percentage of cases with
hearing loss -2.9% (1.5% in 1956) is due to improved