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 1914

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]

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Table: Diseases of the Nose and Throat.The following Table shows the number of cases of these diseases which came under notice in the course of medical inspection in the year 1912 and 1913:—

Diseases of the Nose and Throat.

The following Table shows the number of cases of these diseases which came under notice in the course of medical inspection in the year 1912 and 1913:—

1912.1913.
No. of observations98679343
No. with enlarged tonsils only18831741
No. with adenoids only279250
No. with enlarged tonsils and adenoids905924
No. of mouth breathers533463
No. with nasal catarrh239205
No. with fauces congested810
No. with polypus22
No. with other diseases of the nose and throat9352
Total diseases of nose and throat39423647

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From the foregoing Table it will be noted that 3,600
children in 1912, and 3,378 in 1913, or 36 per cent. of all
children examined, were mouth-breathers or suffered from
enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or enlarged tonsils with adenoids.
These conditions directly affect health and education.
Adenoids frequently cause running ears and subsequent
deafness. Adenoids and mouth-breathing are also very
commonly associated with dullness and mental incapacity.
Enlarged tonsils expose the sufferer to frequent attacks of
tonsillitis, with consequent loss of school attendance; while
diphtheria caught under such conditions is very dangerous.
All these conditions are easily remediable, and the cost of
treatment would be amply repaid in the improved health
and attendance of children who suffer.
Disease of the Ear.