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
Leyton 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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152
During the past three years there has been a steady increase
in the number of under-nourished children attending the Open Air
School. In 1938 some 68 under-nourished children attended the
school, compared with 54 in 1937, and 19 in 1936.
The type of physical defect, the number of children in each category, and the progress recorded, are shown in the following table:—
| Defect. | No. of Children. | Improved. | Stationary. | Worse. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delicate | 21 | 20 | 1 | — |
| Undernourished | 68 | 62 | 4 | 2 |
| Bronchitis | 6 | 5 | 1 | — |
| Bronchietasis and | 6 | 5 | 1 | — |
| Pulmonary Fibrosis | ||||
| Asthma | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Tuberculous Adenitis | 5 | 5 | — | — |
| Rheumatic Carditis | 21 | 16 | 4 | 1 |
| Congenital Heart Disease | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Crippled Children | 27 | 23 | 4 | — |
| Totals | 162 | 142 | 16 | 4 |
Under-nourished and delicate children did well at the school.
Two of the undernourished children became worse, and were transferred
to a residential open-air school. Children with rheumatic
heart disease did surprisingly well at the Open Air School. Care
was taken in the selection, but, even so, one child after admission
to the School became worse, and was transferred to a Heart Home.
One of the asthmatic children became definitely worse in his general
health, and his asthmatic attacks increased in frequency. He was
10 years old, and weighed only 38 lbs. when last examined. He
regularly attended one of the London hospitals, but, unfortunately,
derived no benefit from the hospital treatment. He was six months
in a convalescent home, and was 14 months in a residential school
at Ventnor ; and in neither institution did his health improve.
Such a case is rare, and the great majority of children attending the
Open Air School have less serious defects and do very well.
Defective Children.
Blind and Partially Blind Children.
Two children were admitted to White Oak Residential
Ophthalmic School, and two were discharged.