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
Willesden 1909
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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| Average number of Children on Roll | 1,055 | |||||
| Number of Children medically inspected | 573 | |||||
| Number of Parents objecting | 18 | |||||
| INFANTS | BOYS. | GIRLS. | ||||
| Assistant School Medical Officer | H. Wilson, m.b. | W. Walker, m.r.c.s. | H. Wilson, m.b. | |||
| Head Teacher | Miss E. Slaughter. | Miss A. Tozen. | Miss E. Fletcher | |||
| 1909 | 1910 | 1909 | 1910 | 1909 | 1910 | |
| Accommodation | 238 | 527 | 432 | S27 | 434 | |
| Average No. on Roll | 268 | 4 | 4 | 373 | ||
| Time per Inspection | eight minutes | ten minutes. | eight minutes | |||
| No. referred for subsequent examination | 3 | 12 | 3 | |||
| No. to whom directions for treatment given | 23 | 86 | 39 | |||
| No. referred to S.M.O. as suitable for visiting by L.H. Visitor | 10 | 14 | 22 | |||
Comment by A.S.M.O.—Dr. H. Wilson has found that the scheme has
worked very well, and that the inspection has resulted in a generally
improved condition of the children. "Tuberculosis has been
markedly absent, one unsuspected case was detected, although
attending a children's hospital for a discharge from the ear. This
case shows the utility of the general school examination. Through
the kindness of the teachers, this case was sent to Eastbourne and
Broadstairs, and is greatly improved (chronic tubercular pleurisy).
Two other suspected cases (one following measles, the other a case
of haemoptysis after violent vomiting) were also sent away by
subscriptions raised by the teachers, and returned (i) much better,
but with chronic bronchitis, and (2) apparently cured. Eye cases
are the most unsatisfactory, many mothers not allowing their
daughters to wear glasses in spite of my repeated protest. Deafness,
leading to inattention and apparent stupidity, has, in several cases,
been found due to impacted wax. Heart disease (serious) was
detected in one unsuspected case. Enlarged tonsils, adenoids, etc.,
occurred fairly frequently, and enlarged glands in the neck were
so common at the change of dentition, and so rare in the older
girls, as to suggest that they might be partly physiological.
For Dr. W. Walker's comments, see page 47.
Type—IV. Three storied buildings, separate classrooms opening to
internal corridors, terminating on each floor in offices separated by
cross ventilation.
Site—Open, elevated.
Playground—Tar paved, fairly good condition.
Sanitary Conveniences—
Boys 7 syphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
Girls 10 syphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
Infants 6 syphonic latrines, automatic flushing.
Urinals—Senior Boys 68-ft. lineal, Infant Boys 29-ft. lineal.
Lavatory Basins—Boys 4, Girls 4, Infants 2.
Drinking Water—One tap for Boys, one tap for Girls and Infants.
Class Room Walls and general Cleanliness of School—Painted dado,
brickwork above distempered—clean.
Desks—Modern double desks.
Lighting—Desks badly arranged respecting direction of light in several
classrooms, light good.
Heating—Hot water pipes, radiators, and open fireplaces.
Ventilation—Fair.
Cloak Rooms—Lighting and ventilation good.