London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Walthamstow 1933

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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The monthly figures were as follows:—

Sore ThroatMeaslesWhooping CoughMumpsRingworm & ScabiesImpetigo Sores,etc.
January1036302
February263244123
March24202112549
April7711826
May2240151108
June153546327
July19841513
August
September1426329
October20444
November1443118
December104105
Totals, 1933181121148484994
19325915252824199105

Comments on above Table :—
Sore Throats.— The increase is partly due to attention drawn to
the question by the new arrangements made by your Committee
in January, 1933, under which children with Sore Throats were not
allowed to be sent to the School Clinics. Head Teachers were
asked to exclude such children, and to advise parents to obtain
medical advice in the home.
Such exclusions were reported to the School Medical Department
and were " followed up " by the School Nurses.
Unfortunately many parents have neglected to have their
children seen by their own Doctor, frequently owing to inability
to pay the fees and either disinclination or ineligibility to call in
the Public Assistance Committee's Medical Officer.
In other cases children have been taken to the family Doctor's
surgery primarily owing to the smaller fee required as compared
with that for a home visit.
In view of these difficulties the former arrangements were revived
at the end of the year.
Measles.— The lowered incidence is due to the fact that 1932
was an inter-epidemic year.
Whooping Cough.— The incidence was about half that of the
previous year.