London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Willesden 1919

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]

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143
The School Medical Officer has the children so referred duly examined by one or other of
the Approved Certifying Officers.
The examination of children referred under (A) Mentally Abnormal above, are reported in
the manner provided by the schedules published by the Board of Education under Section 1 (1) of
the Elementary Education (Defective and Epileptic Children) Act, 1899, and Section 31 (1) of the
Mental Deficiency Act, 1913.
The examination of children referred under (B), Physically Abnormal Children, is conducted
on similar lines.
The School Medical Officer submits the results of examinations of abnormal children, together
with recommendations as to treatment and the most suitable schools or institutions, to each meeting
of the Children's Care Committee. Appropriate cases are reported to the Middlesex County Council
or Board of Education.
All doubtful or difficult cases of mental defect examined at special or routine examinations
by the Assistant Medical Officers are referred to Dr. Tredgold; Specialist on Mentally Defective
Children, for further examination and report.
Cost.
To complete the work of the School Medical Service as above outlined means the establishment
of a Third Clinic, the additional annual cost of which at current rates would be approximately £8,000.
In addition there would be the additional cost of dental work, approximately £4,000, and the extension
of Hospital Treatment, say £2,000, giving a total estimated annual expenditure of £14,000, half of
which would be repayable by the Board of Education.
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
To be presented to the
Children's Care Committee. 27/10/19.
APPENDIX N.
5th December, 1919.
To Medical Practitioners in Willesden.
DIPHTHERIA—EARLY TREATMENT.
The Medical Superintendent of the Municipal Hospital, Brentfield Road, Neasden, N.W. 10,
informs me that the type of Diphtheria prevalent at present is severe. Several cases have entered
the Hospital at a late stage of the illness when remedial measures were too late. Early treatment—
important in all diseases—is especially important in cases of Diphtheria. Sometimes Practitioners
delay sending in their cases until a bacteriological examination has been made. Under all the circumstances
I would suggest that where the clinical signs give good reason to believe that the case is one of
Diphtheria arrangements be made with Dr. Stewart for the admission of the case, if possible, to
Hospital (Telephone No.: Willesden 1849) for observation and early treatment as may be necessary.
Too much reliance should not be placed on bacteriological diagnosis when the clinical evidence points
to Diphtheria.
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
Medical Officer of Health.
APPENDIX O.
2'2nd December, 1919.
COLLECTION OF HOUSE REFUSE.
In accordance with instructions I beg to submit herewith a statement showing the advantages
and disadvantages of the work of the Collection of House Refuse being under the control and supervision
of the Health department of the Council:—
(1) The removal of house refuse is primarily a Health matter, and all the officers of the Health
Department have been trained to regard its removal as a matter of urgent Public Health
importance.