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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44
children attending the Physically Defective School and Brookfield
Hospital. Miss Lewis has kindly contributed the following report
and statistics relating to the work of the Walthamstow Branch
during 1933:—
"There was a decrease of 35 in the number of children sent
away in 1933 compared with 1932. This number is, however,
still in excess of the 1931 figure, which was thought to be high.
The decrease in 1933 seems to be entirely represented by the
chest cases, which dropped back to normal from the high level
they reached in 1932.
"There were 77 children away at the end of 1933. One child
known to be a hopeless case died in Cheyne Hospital, and a similar
case was discharged home after 11 months' treatment and died
three months later. It is not very satisfactory that re-applications
for convalescence remain about the same.
"Fewer applications for grants have been made to the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee, because an excellent home for
children under five has been put on the Board's list as a Nursery
School, and it has been to the children's advantage to go there.
The reduction in numbers referred by Dr. Sorley seems to be
due to the fact that his children at Yentnor have required longer
periods and so we have not asked for more names for his waiting
list.
The increase in the number of instruments supplied is, I
think, due to the increase in the number of new babies coming to
Mr. Howell's Inspections and more vigorous after-care. The instruments
have, however, cost us about £21 less than last year—
an indication that those supplied have been smaller, less extensive
and less expensive than those necessary for the older children.
There has been stronger co-operation with the Orthopaedic
Clinic since the change of staff at the beginning of the year, and
I think this also accounts for the extra number of visits paid."

Table of cases for 1933.

Referred by—All Ages.Under 5 Years.
School Medical Officers24295
Medical Men, Hospitals, Dispensaries16739
Tuberculosis Dispensaries15
School Officials9
I.C. A.A31
C.O.S. and other Voluntary Bodies41
Parents2
Others
442136