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
Walthamstow 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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(j) Tuberculosis.—As in former years, all children suspected
either of pulmonary or glandular tuberculosis are referred to the
Tuberculosis Officer for final diagnosis, and are not included in the
findings of medical inspections.
(
| 1938. | 1937. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requiring Treatment. | Observation. | Requiring Treatment. | Observation. | |
| Enlarged Glands | 133 | — | 128 | 2 |
| Defective Speech | 36 | 11 | 50 | 12 |
| Bronchitis | 79 | 13 | 125 | 20 |
| Epilepsy | 5 | 1 | 9 | 2 |
| Chorea | 5 | 4 | 12 | 3 |
| Other Defects | 2,100 | 28 | 1,751 | 34 |
The school nurses paid a total of 4,547 home visits during 1938. The visits are classified below:—
| External Eye Diseases | 99 | Mumps | 277 |
| Measles | 1,603 | Whooping Cough | 247 |
| Tonsils and Adenoids | 163 | Uncleanliness | 247 |
| Chicken Pox | 579 | Impetigo and Sores | 185 |
| Vision. . | 283 | Dental Failures | 33 |
| Otorrhoea | 182 | Ringworm | 5 |
| Sore Throat | 93 | Scabies | 60 |
| Erysipelas | 1 | Deafness | 73 |
| Various | 416 | Scarlet Fever | 1 |
As in previous years, the school nurses attend at all medical
inspections and staff the various clinics, e.g., aural, minor ailments,
ophthalmic and rheumatism clinics, and also carry out cleanliness
surveys. Close co-operation was maintained with the almoners of
various metropolitan hospitals, and written reports were given
when necessary.
7. ARRANGEMENTS FOR TREATMENT.
(a) Nutrition.—Treatment of nutritional defects is by means
of appropriate advice or by a recommendation for milk or midday
meals made at medical inspection, re-inspection and at nutritional