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 1964
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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still held at all the main clinics and treatment where indicated may be started from
about the age of 3½ years old.
The Speech Class at Brentside Infants School caters for up to 10 pupils with speech
defects of such a degree that they are thought to be unable to communicate sufficiently
to benefit from attendance at an ordinary class. The small number of pupils in the
class is, of course, a great advantage in giving these children the individual attention
that they require. A Speech Therapist visits the class weekly in order to give individual
speech therapy to the children in addition to discussion and liaison with the class
teacher. During the year 10 children were admitted, and four discharged.
The figures for the year are as follows:—
| Number on roll at 1st January, 1964 | 225 |
| New cases during the year | 107 |
| Number discharged | 76 |
| Number on roll at 31st December, 1964 | 256 |
| Number of attendances at Speech Therapy Clinics | . 2,548 |
| The types of speech defect treated follow the established pattern:— 1. Dyslalia—omission or substitution of consonants | 151 |
| 2. Developmental aphasia—delayed or absent speech | 58 |
| 3. Stammering | 35 |
| 4. Dysarthria—physical defects of the speech organs | 6 |
| 5. Aphasia associated with mental subnormality | 5 |
| 6. Dysphonia | 1 |
ASTHMA CLINIC
The Asthma Clinic under the supervision of one of the School Medical Officers
continues to provide a valuable service. A Physiotherapist with a particular interest
in breathing exercises carries out small group treatment in suitable cases. This form
of treatment, although time-consuming, is very beneficial and older children are
encouraged to continue exercises in their own homes.
During the year there were 132 attendances at the clinic, 40 of these being first
attenders.
FOOT HEALTH
This report last year described the making of a health educational film by Dr.
Catharine Hollman on children's feet. Called "52 Small Bones", the film has proved
popular with many authorities. The film was submitted to the British Medical
Association Film Competition for 1964 and it is gratifying to report that it has
received a Gold Award.
1964 saw a resurgence of national interest in the Foot Health of Children, due
mainly to a wide press cover of two meetings. The first, in April, was the British
Medical Association's Annual Clinical Meeting at Northampton. This being the
centre of the shoe industry, it was decided to include a session on the Prevention of
Foot Deformities, in which Dr. Hollman was invited to participate. Later in the
year, in November, the British Medical Association called a conference entitled "The
Health of Children's Feet" at which shoe manufacturers, shoe retailers, parents,
medical profession, consumer council, etc., were well represented. Dr. Hollman spoke
again at this meeting, particularly on the findings of the Ealing Foot Health Scheme
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