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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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Defects and Treatment:-
TABLE 45
| Defect | Number observed | Number treated | Referred for operation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonsils and Adenoids | 523 | 272 | 251 |
| Other throat conditions | 127 | 127 | - |
| Defective Hearing | 139 | 139 | - |
| Otitis Media and discharging ears | 50 | 50 | - |
| Other ear conditions | 58 | 53 | 5 |
| Nasal deformities | 9 | 9 | — |
| Rhinitis | 16 | 16 | - |
| Catarrh | 25 | 25 | - |
| Other nose conditions | 33 | 33 | — |
| Totals | 980 | 724 | 256 |
Of the cases referred for operative treatment, 251 were for the
removal of tonsils and adenoids, one for removal of a polypus in the ear,
and four for mastoidectomy.
Included in the above statistcs, the following relate to cases referred
for investigation following failure in speech audiometer tests in
school:-
Number of children examined 253
Number of attendances 490
Discharged as not requiring treatment 146
Treated 107
Home Visiting
Home visits made by health visitors and school nurses during the year
numbered 3,l23. These visits were for the purposes detailed In my report
for 1951.
Handicapped Pupils
It is pleasing to report that during the year Dr.F. Gaskell, Assistant
Medical Officer, was approved by the Ministry for the ascertainment of
handicapped pupils. This work is now shared by my Deputy and myself and
three Assistant Medical Officers.
118 special examinations were carried out during the year and recommendations
for special educational treatment were made in respect of 72
children as follows:-
TABLE 46
| Category | Number ascertained. | Recommendation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary School with special treatment | Day Special School | Boarding Special School | ||
| Blind | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| Partially Sighted | 1 | — | 1 | - |
| Deaf | 1 | — | 1 | - |
| Partially Deaf | 1 | - | — | 1 |
| Delicate | 11 | — | 2 | 9 |
| Educationally sub-normal | 31 | 14 | 14 | 3 |
| Epileptic | - | - | - | - |
| Maladjusted | 14 | — | — | 14 |
| Physically Handicapped | 10 | - | 3 | 6 |
| Suffering from Speech Defect | 76 | 76 | - | — |
| E.S.N. and Maladjusted | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| Delicate and Maladjusted | 1 | — | - | 1 |