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

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Walthamstow 1936

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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"The number on roll at the end of the year was 121. The classification was as follows:—

Boys.Girls.Totals.
Orthopaedic201636
Heart Disease3710
Rheumatic437
Debilitated162238
Malnutrition71118
Chest conditions235
Epileptic44
Skin conditions11
Nephritis22

(iv) Orthopaedic Scheme.—Reference has already been made
(in the description of the Open Air School) to the new rooms available
for orthopaedic treatment. The waiting and consulting rooms
are also used for medical inspection.
The orthopaedic treatment room is 36ft. 9ins. long and 16ft. 9ins.
wide, and is fully equipped for the following treatments:—
(i) Massage;
(ii) Re-education of muscles;
(iii) Electricity:—
(a) Electrical reactions of muscles,
(&) Faradism,
(c) Radiant Heat,
(d) Infra Red Light;
(iv) Exercises for:—
(a) Scoliosis,
(b) Posture,
(c) Foot deformities,
(d) Co-ordination,
(e) Respiration;
(v) Splintage and Strapping;
(vi) Plaster of Paris.
The larger majority of new cases referred to the Clinic continued
to be from the Infant Welfare Centres.
The arrangements whereby the Superintendent Health Visitor
and the Welfare Masseuse attended each Clinic was continued. The
close liaison has proved very valuable. A total of 15 Consultant
sessions were held in 1936.
The scheme is under the clinical charge of Mr. B. Whitchurch
Howell, F.R.C.S., Consulting Orthopaedic Surgeon, who reports
as follows:—