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
Penge 1917
[Report of the School Medical Officer for Penge]
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8
This abbreviated Table gives a summary of the diseases found during routine
medical inspection. In the column (3) are noted defects which are departures from
the normal condition of health, but which are not sufficient to require treatment.
The greater number of children sent as specials to the Medical Inspectors for diagnosis
and advice are found to be suffering from some form of skin disease, and are
usually referred for treatment to the Minor Ailments Clinic.
The figures for cleanliness are not so good this year as in 1916 by 5 per cent.
After the summer holidays the heads of some children were found to be in a very
poor condition. It is suggested that this was due to the fact that the mothers were
at work, and were consequently unable to give sufficient time to the care of these
children.
The children continue to be well fed and to be provided with better clothing
and footgear. The free breakfasts which were given in this district during winters
before the war were still not necessary, owing to employment being plentiful and to
the allowances made for soldiers' children.
Table III.—Numerical Return of all Exceptional Children in the Area in 1917.
| Boys. | Girls. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blind (including partially blind)— | |||
| Attending Public Elementary Schools | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Attending Certified Schools for the Blind | — | — | _ |
| Not at School | _ | _ | _ |
| Deaf and Dumb (including partially deaf)— | |||
| Attending Public Elementary Schools | — | 5 | 5 |
| Attending Certified Schools for the Deaf | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Not at School | — | — | _ |
| Mentally Deficient— | |||
| Feeble-Minded— | |||
| Attending Public Elementary Schools | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Attending Certified Schools for Mentally Defective Children | |||
| Notified to the Local (Control) Authority during the | |||
| Year | — | — | — |
| Not at School | — | _ | _ |
| Imbeciles— | |||
| At School | — | — | _ |
| Not at School | — | — | _ |
| Idiots— | — | _ | _ |
| Epileptics— | |||
| Attending Public Elementary Schools | — | — | — |
| Attending Certified Schools for Epileptics | — | 1 | 1 |
| Not at School | 1 (awaiting vacancy) | ||
| Physically Defective— | |||
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis— | |||
| Attending Public Elementary Schools | — | 1 | 1 |
| Attending Certified Schools for Physically Defective Children | |||
| Other forms of Tuberculosis— Attending Public Elementary Schools | 2 | – | 2 |
| Attending Certified Schools for Physically Defective Children | |||
| Not at School | 2 | — | 2 |
| Cripples other than Tubercular— | |||
| Attending Public Elementary Schools | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Attending Certified Schools for Physically Defective Children | 1 | ||
| Not at School | — | 1 | 1 |
| Dull or Backward*— | |||
| Retarded 2 years | 5 | 19 | 24 |
| Retarded 3 years | — | 4 | 4 |
| * Judged according to age and standard. | |||