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
Haringey 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Haringey]
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Home Tuition
During the year five children received home tuition for varying periods, under Section 56 of the
Education Act 1944. Of these children, three suffered from physical handicap and two from maladjustment.
Day Nurseries - Admission of Handicapped Children
The Council's Day Nursery Scheme provides for the attendance at day nurseries of handicapped
children who are recommended for admission, in the following categories:-
(i) Deaf, partially-hearing, physically handicapped, maladjusted, partially-sighted children.
(ii) Mentally handicapped children under three years of age.
(iii) Children over one year of age of deaf or deaf/mute mothers.
No charge is made to the parents of these children. For children in category (1) over the age of
two years, the cost of attendance is borne by the Education Committee under Section 56 of the Education
Act 1944. Other cases are dealt with under Section 22 of the National Health Service Act 1946.
Admission may be for the whole or part of the day.
It is intended to make future provision for the attendance of mentally handicapped children up to
the age of five years.
During 1966, five Haringey children, and four children from other Boroughs were in attendance at
day nurseries in the Borough under these arrangements. At the end of the year, two Haringey and two
children from other Boroughs were still in attendance.
Recuperative Holidays
During 1966 twenty nine boys and twenty five girls were recommended for recuperative holidays in
order to assist their recovery after illness. Nineteen boys and sixteen girls were placed in suitable
homes for periods of varying length.
Deaths of School Children
It is with regret that I include the following details of 15 local school children who died during
1966:-
| Sex | Age | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|
| M | 9 | Malignant tumour |
| F | 5 | Malignant tumour |
| M | 5 | Malignant tumour |
| F | 12 | Acute pericarditis |
| M | 15 | Heart disease |
| M | 14 | Acute asthma |
| M | 12 | Bronchopneumonia, viral |
| M | 12 | Encephalitis |
| M | 10 | Tetanus |
| M | 13 | Cystic fibrosis |
| F | 8 | Cystic fibrosis |
| M | 5 | Cerebral palsy |
| F | 15 | Poisoning |
| M | 8 | Road accident |
| M | 7 | Atelectasis following whooping cough |
Accidents to School Children
I am indebted to the Accident Prevention Officer for the following analysis of road accidents involving
child pedestrians aged 5 - 15 years during 1966.
"A detailed study of the roaa accidents resulting in injury to 193 child pedestrians during 1966 has
revealed:-
(a) that 5 - 10 years were the most vulnerable ages;
(b) that May and November were the most dangerous months;
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