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

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Willesden 1944

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]

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8
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
On August 28th, 1942, the Board of Education issued Circular 1604, revising the arrangements to be made for
the medical inspection of school children. Only 2 routine inspections are now required instead of 3—(i) on or
as soon as possible after admission to school; (ii) in the last year of school life—but increased attention is required
to be paid to the children by the School Nurses.
These revised arrangements came into operation on the reopening of the Stonebridge Health Centre in
November, 1942.
During 1944, 2,487 children were medically inspected at routine inspections and 13,932 at special inspections
and reinspections.
Scabies.—See report on Uncleanliness and Scabies on pages 10 and 11.
Uncleanliness.—(a) Willesden.—During 1944 cleanliness inspections were carried out in the schools on
437 occasions. The total number of examinations and re-examinations made during the year was 33,328.
See report on Uncleanliness and Scabies on pages 10 and 11.
(b) Reception Areas.—In the Annual Reports for 1940-1943 the results of cleanliness inspections made by
the Willesden Council's Health Visitors in reception areas from April 20th, 1940, to end of 1943 were shown.
The results of cleanliness inspections made by the Willesden Council's Health Visitors in reception areas
during 1944 are as follows:—

Table No. 7.

Number Inspected.Number Nitty or Verminous.Percentage Nitty or Verminous.
Willesden Evacuees64850.8%
Other Evacuees1,307231.8%
Natives7,4323494.7%

Medical Treatment in Willesden.— During the year 1944 school children were followed up by the Health
Department on account of 9,526 medical defects and 3,695 dental defects. Of those defects found to require
treatment, medical or dental treatment was obtained for 9,176 and domestic treatment was obtained for 1,377. 84 per
cent. of the medical defects were treated, 69 per cent. receiving medical treatment and 15 per cent. domestic treatment;
76 per cent. of the dental defects followed up were treated. No record is available of defects requiring treatment
which were not followed up. 95 per cent. of the total medical defects treated and 99 per cent. of the total dental defects
treated were dealt with by the Education Committee. The remainder, or 5 per cent. of the medical defects and 1 per
cent. of the dental defects treated, were dealt with by private practitioners, voluntary hospitals, or other charitable
institutions, or Public Assistance. In connection with the defects treated, the children concerned made 41,006
attendances at the Health Centres.
School Medical Service for Children Sent to Reception Areas.—3 of the School Nursing Staff
were working in Reception Areas during 1944, until November 24th, when 1 obtained a post elsewhere and was
not replaced.
Medical Inspection of children for evacuation to Reception Area in 1944 was carried out in accordance with
the requirements of Government Departments.
HEALTH CENTRES.
ATTENDANCES.

Table No. 8.

Medical and Dental Treatment—Attendances at Municipal Health Centres, 1944.

Condition.Mothers, and Children under Five.Grand Total (Cols. 7 and 8).
Expectant Mothers.Nursing Mothers.Children under Five.Total (Cols. 2—5).School Children.
0—1.1—5.Total (Cols. 4 and 5).
(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)
1. Cleansing——2272929131160
2. Throat, Nose and Ear Diseases—1124494614623,2293,691
3. Minor Ailments22614662,6433,1093,19219,55022,742
4. Eye Diseases452004946947033,2253,928
5. Skin Diseases2917206208414460378838
6. Artificial Sunlight Treatment————————
7. Orthopaedics27953466971,0431,1652,1163,281
8. Medical Consultations16,68022,69623,4159,09132,50671,882—71,882
9. Diphtheria Immunisations——212,1032,1242,1241682,292
10. Total (1—9)16,76222,87524,66815,71240,38080,01728,797108,814
11. Dental Consultations2,945627—7327324,3047,58211,886
12. Total (10—11)19,70723,50224,66816,44441,11284,32136,379120,700
13. School for Mothers————————
14. Nursery————————
15. Miscellaneous—————33,4104,79538,205
16. Grand Total (12—15)19,70723,50224,66816,44441,112117,73141,174158,905