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 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Health Visiting and Medical Inspection of Children between the ages of 1 and 5 years.
The practice described under this heading on page 9 of the Annual Report for 1931 was continued
during the current year. The aims and methods adopted were outlined on pages 9 and 10 of the Annual
Report for 1932.
Findings of Medical Inspections.—The following table shows the numbers and percentages
of individual defects found in 609 children examined during the year.
Table No. 7.
| Age Period. | 18 months. | 2 years. | 3 years. | 4 years. | Total years. | Percentage. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of children inspected | 237 | 182 | 125 | 65 | 609 | |
| Malnutrition (including slight degrees) | 11 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 28 | 4.6 |
| Skin conditions | 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 33 | 5.4 |
| Eyes—Blepharitis and Conjunctivitis | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | 5 | 2.6 |
| Squint | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | |
| Other conditions | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 4 | |
| Ears, Otitis Media | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.7 |
| Nose and Throat—Enlarged Tonsils or Adenoids or both | 19 | 21 | 29 | 20 | 89 | 14.6 |
| Enlarged cervical Glands | 2 | 3 | 11 | 10 | 26 | 4.3 |
| Teeth—Dental Diseases | 1 | 5 | 15 | 19 | 40 | 6.6 |
| Heart and Circulation (including Anaemia) | 5 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 2.3 |
| Lung Disease (non-tubercular) | 9 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 2.6 |
| Nervous System (including functional conditions) | 4 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 1.8 |
| Deformities—Rickets | 9 | 2 | 3 | — | 14 | 2.3 |
| Others | 40 | 25 | 27 | 9 | 101 | 16.6 |
| Other defects | 8 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 32 | 5.3 |
The number of children under 5 years who were able to be given a full routine medical inspection
during the year was about 100 more than during 1937, but this still represents only a small percentage
of the 10,000 or so children who should be so dealt with, were the staff and accommodation available.
The Ministry of Health Circular issued in 1936 exhorted the Council to provide for this work, and in
their reply to the Minister the Council promised to do so when Health Centre (2) was rebuilt. The
completed plans for this Centre are now before the Ministry of Health and Board of Education.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—The number of cases of this disease notified during the year
was 26, as against 28 last year. This gives a case rate of 8.8 per 1,000 registered live births. A
district midwife attended at the confinement in 10 cases, and 16 cases were born in hospital. Treatment
was obtained at a hospital in 19 cases, at the Municipal Centres in 4 cases, and by a private doctor at
home in 3 cases. Complete recovery with unimpaired vision occurred in 23 cases, 2 cases left the district
and 1 case died, the death being certified as due to broncho-pneumonia.
Cases of inflammation of or discharge from the eyes of infants or of cases of ophthalmia neonatorum
entering Willesden after notification elsewhere are also visited by the Health Nurses.
Teaching of Mothercraft at the Centres.
An important part of the work of each Health Centre is its Mothercraft Section.
This is in special charge of one Health Visitor at each Centre, and holds its sessions in the
afternoons.
The work has proceeded on the same lines as outlined on page 10 of the 1931 Annual Report.
During 1938, 501 Mothercraft sessions were held, with 4,877 attendances of mothers, and 4,387
attendances at the nurseries. This gives an average of 9.7 attendances of Mothers per session. 337
individual mothers attended.
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
Schools—There are 35 public elementary schools in the district. Of this number 23 are
Council and 12 church or non-provided schools.
Included in the number of the Council schools are 2 special schools, 1 for mentally defective
and 1 for physically defective children.
The hygienic condition of the schools in Willesden is very variable. The more modern schools
are quite satisfactory as regards ventilation, lighting, warming, equipment and sanitation, but some
of the other schools fall short of the standard desirable.
Water to the schools is supplied in all instances direct from the mains of the Metropolitan
Water Board.
Adequate facilities are provided for the supply of drinking water for the scholars.