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
Erith 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Erith]
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59
These examinations are made at the offices of the
Medical Officer of Health, between the hours of 9.30 and
10.30 a.m. every day. The examinations have been solely
for the purpose of certifying whether a child is fit to
attend school or not, and advice is given, but no treatment.
During the period of my service as School Medical
Officer, 523 children were examined, 358 attended on one
occasion only, 124 attended twice, 32 three times, 8 four
times, and one case 8 times, making a total of 742 attendances.
On each attendance a certificate was given, 374
being certificates that the child in question was unfit to
attend school, and 368 certificates of fitness to attend.
The following table shows the principal reasons for which certificates of unfitness were granted :-
| Disease. | Boys. | Girls. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ringworm | 49 | 28 | 77 |
| Pediculi Capitis | — | 50 | 50 |
| Impetigo | 19 | 23 | 42 |
| Scabies | — | 2 | 2 |
| Scarlet Fever | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Chickenpox | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Whooping Cough | — | 1 | 1 |
| Mumps | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Chorea | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Tonsillitis | 16 | 31 | 47 |
| External eye disease | 5 | 9 | 14 |
| Eczema | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Otitis Media | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Tuberculosis, Pulmonary | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| „ Skin | 1 | — | 1 |
| „ Hip joint | 1 | — | 1 |
| „ Glands | 1 | — | 1 |
| Other | 45 | 52 | 97 |
| Totals | 161 | 213 | 374 |