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 1945

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]

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43
SECTION A. MEDICAL INSPECTIONS.
Routine medical inspections were confined to the usual
prescribed age groups. During 1945 children returned home to
Bromley from evacuation areas and we found that many needed
our special attention chiefly in regard to uncleanliness. The
effect of school population movement during the war has been
to disturb the maintenance of routine inspections.

Table: In comparison with the five-year pre-war period 1934-1938 there is some leeway to make up, but in spite of enemy activities and the stress and strain of war it is to me remarkable that we were able to maintain and provide such a high level of service.

In comparison with the five-year pre-war period 1934-1938 there is some leeway to make up, but in spite of enemy activities and the stress and strain of war it is to me remarkable that we were able to maintain and provide such a high level of service.

PeriodRoutine Medical InspectionTotalSpecial Inspections and re-inspectionsInspections by Specialists
Entrants2nd Age Group3rd Age GroupOther Routine
Pre - war years 1934-383092264526702938700359417543
5 years' average61852953458174071881508
War years 1940-19442923165319184026896233224615*
5 years' average5853313838013794664923*
1945555432385—137247591105*

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*Nose and Throat Specialist's Clinic in abeyance since 1940—all
urgent cases being referred to Hospital.
Findings at Medical Inspections.
Of the 1,372 inspections in three age groups, 268 individual
children (19.5%) were found in need of treatment (excluding
defects of nutrition, uncleanliness and dental disease). 291
defects were recorded for treatment in these children and 228
suspected defects were noted for further observation.
The Assistant Medical Officers commenting on their
inspections during. 1945, were satisfied that there had been no
deterioration in physique and well-being of the school
children. Their general opinion supported the view that there
had been an increase in the catarrhal conditions and apparently
some loss of resistance in combating the skin infections, and
that minor skin complaints were more liable to infection and
much more resistant to treatment.