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
East Ham 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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The following cases were referred to hospital for treatment:-
| High Myopia | 2 |
| Cataract and Opacities | 5 |
| Squint | 99 |
| Cyst | 2 |
| Blepharitis | 1 |
| Conjunctivitis | 2 |
| Other conditions for investigation | 7 |
| Total | 118 |
Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic.
Reference has already been made to the Audiometric Surveys carried out in
the schools. The extra work of investigating cases picked out by this procedure
could not be encompassed in the weekly session attended by Mr. Savage, and
in November a second weekly session was commenced.This is also attended by
an E.N.T. Surgeon employed by the Regional Hospital Board.
The following are the statistical details
| Number of clinic sessions | 54 |
| Number of children attending | 724 |
| Number of attendances | 1,289 |
Defects and treatment:
TABLE 49.
| Defect | Number observed | Number treated | Referred for operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonsils and Adenoids | 293 | 29 | 264 |
| Other throat conditions | 160 | 160 | - |
| Defective Hearing | 121 | 121 | - |
| Otitis Media and discharging ears | 47 | 47 | - |
| Other ear conditions | 63 | 61 | 2 |
| Nasal deformities | 7 | 7 | - |
| Rhinitis | 14 | 14 | - |
| Catarrh | 43 | 43 | - |
| Other nose conditions | 43 | 43 | - |
| Totals | 791 | 525 | 266 |
Of the cases referred for operative treatment, 264 were for the removal
of tonsils and adenoids and two for removal of polypi in the ear. The
operations were performed by Mr. Savege at the Children's Hospital, Balaam
Street.
Home Visiting.
Home visits made by health visitors and school nurses during the year
numbered 4,156. These visits were for such purposes as following up cases
of defects or uncleanliness discovered during routine examinations in schools
or in the clinics, to obtain reports on home conditions requested by hospital
Specialists or by our own Medical Officers, and to advise upon cases of
infectious disease and medico-social family problems reported to me as Medical
Of ficer of Health.
Handicapped Pupils.
At present no special schools are maintained by the Authority although it