Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
This page requires JavaScript
107
Having regard to the above figures it is estimated that 270 cases suffering from Throat, Nose
and Ear conditions would be treated per annum, namely, 260 from enlarged tonsils and adenoids
and 10 on account of Chronic Suppuration of the Middle Ear.
With regard to the cases of enlarged tonsils and adenoids these would be admitted to Hospital,
prepared for operation on the day of admission, operated on on the following day and discharged
on the third day.
With regard to the 10 ear cases they would each probably be in hospital 4 weeks. Under
these conditions the number of beds in daily use for Throat, Nose and Ear conditions throughout
the year would be 3. These cases would be under the care of a competent Throat, Nose and Ear
Specialist on the staff of the School Medical Officer and Medical Officer of Health. At the present
time Mr. Norman Patterson, F.R.C.S., Surgeon to the Golden Square Throat Hospital, has been
appointed temporarily to deal with throat, nose and ear conditions.
Eye Conditions.
In connection with the Eye Clinic of the Authority, cases arise from time to time where the
condition is chronic and resistant to out-patient treatment, such as chronic blepharitis, corneal ulcers
and chronic conjunctivitis. A proportion of these cases require continuous treatment, i.e., Hospital
treatment. In addition a few cases require operative interference, for example, squint. The
number of all such Eye cases requiring hospital treatment is not large and an average of 1 bed occupied
daily throughout the year would cover requirements for these cases. Mr. M. W. B. Oliver, M.A.,
M.B., B.C., F.R.C.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., the permanent Eye Specialist of the Authority, would
have charge of these cases. He is on the staff of the School Medical Officer and Medical Officer of
Health. At present Dr. Dyce Davidson, M.B., Ch.B., M.A., is acting temporarily during Mr. Oliver's
absence on military service.
Other Conditions Affecting School Children.
From time to time hospital treatment for school children suffering from general conditions
is required. Some of these conditions are shown in the following Table II. giving the number found
for which treatment was considered necessary during the years 1914-17, and the estimated number
of such cases requiring Hospital treatment
Table II.
No. of Defects Found for which Treatment was Considered Necessary.
(1) 1914. | (2) 1915. | (3) 1916. | (4) 1917. | Average per annum 1914-17. | Estimated No. of cases requiring Hospital Treatment. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chronic Bronchitis and Bronchial Catarrh | 46 | 57 | 69 | 87 | 65 | 20% =13 |
Lungs, Other Diseases including Pneumonia | 5 | 16 | 16 | 24 | 15 | 20%= 3 |
Chorea | 16 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 25%= 5 |
Debility | 0 | 53 | 74 | 86 | 53 | 5%= 3 |
Tonsillitis and Sore Throat | 240 | 191 | 148 | 191 | 5%= 9 | |
Impetigo | 231 | 557 | 651 | 790 | 557 | 2% =11 |
Eczema, Sores, Psoriasis, etc. | 267 | 168 | 294 | 370 | 275 | 2%= 5 |
Scabies | 63 | 72 | 232 | 393 | 190 | 2%= 4 |
Cervical Glands enlarged | 110 | 123 | 153 | 119 | 126 | 2%= 2 |
Heart and Circulation. Organic Disease | 38 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 13 | 20%= 3 |
Functional Disease | 0 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 13 | 20%= 3 |
Anaemia | 6 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 20%= 3 |
Other defects | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 25%= 1 |
65 |
(1), (2), (3), (4) Vide Notes to Table I.