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
Ilford 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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124
Posture Survey of all school children in the age group nine
to eleven years and the following reports are submitted:-
FOOT SURVEY 1960
Dr. F. E. O'Connor Wilson reports as follows:-
"A survey was taken of foot and leg defects
found in children between the age of nine and eleven
years throughout all the Ilford schools.
During the survey footwear was examined and
advice given concerning the proper shoes and socks
to be worn. There was a definite improvement shown
in the number of foot and leg defects compared with
the number found in the last survey in 1955.
Number of children examined 5,271
" with defects 1,430
11 of girls with defects 766
" " boys " " 664
The percentage of defects were found to be
fairly well distributed over the different areas in
which our schools are situated; the schoolchildren in
South Ilford having the least number of defects.
Feet were examined for cleanliness, deformities of bone and skin abnormalities. Childrenfound to have corns and verrucae who were not being treated privately were referred to the Chiropodist's clinic or local hospital.
| Flat Feet | 176 or | 12.3% |
| Genu Valgum | 105 „ | 7.3% |
| Genu Varum | 161 „ | 11.2% |
| Hallux Valgus | 160 „ | 11.2% |
| Skin defects | 76 „ | 5.4% |
| Valgus Ankles | 17 „ | 1.2 % |
| Verrucae | 105 „ | 7.3 % |
| Hammer Toes and Bunions | 21 „ | 1.5% |
| Curled and Deflected Toes | 541 „ | 37.8% |
| Corns | 68 „ | 4.8% |
Of the total number of children examined
27.1% had foot or leg defects.