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
Bromley 1943
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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37.
Conclusions.
I have deliberately chosen the children of this age for my
investigation, because the body shows rapid growth in this age.
Therefore we can detect in this age most easily if nutrition is
inefficient. I was able to prove that these boys and girls in
1943 did not show any signs of deterioration compared with the
boys and girls in 1939. Judging from the figures found in the
boys, we can conclude that the nutritional standard is a little
higher in 1943 than in 1939.
SECTION B. TREATMENT. The number of treatments for minor ailments during 1943 compared with 1942:—
| 1943. | 1942. | |
|---|---|---|
| Skin diseases | 732 | 597 |
| Minor eye defects | 214 | 179 |
| Minor ear defects | 155 | 128 |
| Miscellaneous | 794 | 782 |
| 1895 | 1686 | |
| Total number of attendances of children at the School Clinics for treatments | 14,357 | 12,980 |
The figures for 1943, as shown above, have only been
exceeded on two previous occasions since my appointment.
Eye Clinic. Statistics for the year 1943:—
| Number of sessions held during the year | 73 |
| Number of children dealt with for errors of refraction | 512 |
| Number of other defects or diseases of the eye treated | 183 |
| Number of spectacles prescribed and obtained | 200 |
| Total attendances of children for treatment | 695 |
Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic.
Specialist Consultative Service and operative treatment for
tonsils and adenoids at the School Clinic is still in abeyance.
Twenty cases were referred for operative treatment to hospital,
and 173 cases received other forms of treatment under the
Authority's Scheme at the School Clinics.