Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Edmonton]
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Girls. Boys.
Congenital Defects 11 12
Birth Injuries 2 —
Rickety Deformities 1 —
Knock-knees (non-rickety) 1 5
Postural Defects of the Spine 11 13
Structural Curvature of the Spine — 1
Flat Feet 19 9
Infantile Paralysis 1 1
Sequelae of Acute Fevers — —
Fractures 1 2
Tuberculous Joints — 1
Other Bone Diseases — 3
Osteomyelitis — —
Other Conditions 1 7
Non-Orthopaedic 6 3
54 57
Total 111
(i) Heart Disease and Rheumatism.
A special rheumatic clinic, mentioned in my last report has been established.
It is too early to say what the effect of this clinic will be on a disease,
the progress of which depends so largely on early diagnosis. So far we are
only dealing with "late" cases, and it is to be regretted that in this
department again we have a long waiting-list. The success of this clinic
will depend largely not so much on diagnosis at the clinic as treatment and
the co-operation of the parents. We find it very difficult to bring home to
the parents the necessity of continuous vigilance as well as treatment.
Our usual experience is that when the child is capable of getting up and
attending school there is no necessity for any further treatment. In
rheumatic heart disease of children this is far from being the case and a
great deal of "following-up" and propaganda is necessary in this
department.
(j) Tuberculosis.
An excellent system of co-operation exists between the Tuberculosis
Office and School Medical Department, inasmuch as any cases, definite or
suspected, which need investigation are immediately referred for investigation.
I am grateful to Dr. Evans for the courtesy that is extended to the department
at all times.
The following information, taken from the records of the Public Health
Department, gives the number of notified cases and the mortality of children
of school age during 1937:—
Notified. Deaths.
M. F. M. F.
Pulmonary 1 — 0 0
Non-Pulmonary Forms 4 3 1 1
(k) Other Defects and Diseases.
In my previous report 1 drew the attention of the Committee to a
rather peculiar spinal deformity which I found amongst Edmonton school-
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