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 1968

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]

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80
The Blind Register
Registration is determined by examination by an ophthalmologist
of consultant status and appointments for examination are made
through the department. Once a person is registered, every effort is
made to overcome as far as possible the effects of the disability.
A register is kept of those persons who wish to obtain the
advantages of registration and come within the definition of blindness
given in Appendix III to the Ministry of Health Circular 4/55 namely
"so blind as to be unable to perform any work for which eyesight is
essential". This disability refers to any work and not the particular
occupation of the person being examined, and does not take account of
any other physical or mental defect.

Table: The following tables show the age distribution of the blind population registered with the department on 31st December 1968.

The following tables show the age distribution of the blind population registered with the department on 31st December 1968.

Age PeriodBlind Register as at 31.12.68, including transfers in and outNew Cases Registered in the Borough during 1968
MaleFemaleTotalMaleFemaleTotal
Under 1
1——----
2—-----
3------
4------
5-10213---
11-151-1---
16-20-22---
21-29213---
30-39549---
40-4910515---
50-5921627314
60-6410919-22
65-69122840448
70-7929689731215
80-841345584711
85-89122638-55
90 and over62430145
Unknown———-—-
Totals123219342153550