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
Shoreditch 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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101
During the year 244 children were referred to this Clinic, making 4,095
attendances. The average number of visits per child was 17, and the average number
of attendances per session was 20.
The accommodation lhas been inadequate for some time, and arrangement
have been made for the Clinic to be transferred to the basement of the new building
to be erected on the vacant site at the rear of the Model Welfare Centre.
Very many thanks are due to the members of the Sutton Branch of the
Voluntary Aid Detachmcnt for the regular and willing help they have given. As
in previous years, this help has contributed largely to the success of the Clinic.
Otorrhœa Clinic.
The Otorrhcea Clinic is held at the Model Welfare Centre every morning,
Saturday included, from 10 to 11. The useful work of this Clinic has been
continued throughout the year.
The Assistant Medical Officer of Health is responsible for the general supervision
of the work and sees all patients once a week. Treatment is carried out by a Nurse
supplied by the Shoreditch and Bethnal Green Nursing Association. A Health
Visitor attends also on the day of the doctor's visit, and she assists in the general
arrangement of the Clinics at other times.
Particulars of the Cases treated during the year are given table:—
in the following
| Diagnosis | Discharged well | Discont'd Treatment | Referred to Hospital | Still Attending | Totals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improved | Not Improved | |||||
| Otitis Media Suppurative | 38 | 28 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 93 |
| Otitis Media Catarrhal | 5 | 7 | 2 | — | — | 14 |
| Meatitis | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | 5 |
| Internal Ear Disease | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Eustachian Obstruction | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Rhinitis | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 8 |
| Diphtheria Wax in Ears | 6 | — | — | — | 6 | |
| Turbinate Disease | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 |
| No Ear Disease found | 7 | — | — | 8 | — | 15 |
| Totals | 65 | 38 | 17 | 17 | 6 | 143 |
Dental Treatment.
Dental treatment was first undertaken by the Borough Council to supply the
needs of mothers and children attending the Welfare Centre, and it is satisfactory
to be able to report that the number of cases referred from the Centres to the Dental
Hospital for treatment continues to increase.
It is not necessary to repeat here what has already been written in the report
upon the Dental Hospital as to the importance of dental treatment generally, but
reference may be made to the fact that large numbers of children are found to have
defective teeth when they are examined as school entrants. Early detection of