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
Kingston upon Thames 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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63
FINDINGS OF MEDICAL INSPECTION.
(a) Uncleanliness.
The School Nurses visit all Schools within the first
fortnight of each term for the purpose of carrying out
cleanliness surveys, since a number of children return to
School after the holidays in an unsatisfactory condition.
It must be borne in mind that a child exhibiting only a few nits is classified as unclean, and the following table clearly shows the satisfactory progress made during the last five years:—
| 1926 | 17,585 | 944 | 8 |
| 1927 | 19,012 | 874 | 4 |
| 1928 | 18,638 | 652 | 5 |
| 1929 | 16,325 | 648 | 2 |
| 1930 | 15,336 | 641 | 3 |
It was observed that still more parents are allowing
their girls' hair to grow long, and it is feared that should
this become general, we may revert to the state of uncleanliness
which existed before the advent of the shingled head.
(b) Tonsils and Adenoids.
There were 58 children suffering from enlarged tonsils
and adenoids referred for treatment during the year.
(c) Tuberculosis.
Any children suspected by the School Medical Officer
are referred to the Surrey County Council Tuberculosis
Officer, Dr. Cameron Renwick, for his opinion, observation
and treatment, if necessary.
(d) Skin Disease.
Impetigo and ringworm of the body and scalp are the
skin diseases chiefly met with among the children.
There were 19 cases of ringworm of the scalp referred
for treatment during the year.
(e) Vision.
During the year 62 children were found requiring
treatment for defective vision, and 21 for squint.
(f) Dental Defects.
At his inspection the School Dentist found 2,030
children needing treatment,