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 1941
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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Percentage of total notified births represented)
by number of expectant mothers attending
Ante-Natal Clinics
1941. 98.4
TREATMENT.
(a) Orthopaedic.
Defects seen at Orthopaedic Clinic in Children under Five Years of Age.
| Anterior Poliomyelitis | 2 | Congenital Dislocation of Hip | 1 |
| Ollier's Disease | 2 | Congenital Defects | 10 |
| Rickets - | Talipes | 14 | |
| (a) Genu Varum | 43 | Miscellaneous | 10 |
| (b) Genu Valgum | 43 | Total | 167 |
| Pes Plano Valgus | 31 | ||
| Spastic Paralysis | 3 | ||
| Torticollis | 7 | ||
| Arthritis | 1 | ||
(b) Dental.
The following work was done by the Education Committee's Dental Surgeons in respect of Maternity and Child Welfare patients:-
| 1939 | 1940 | 1941 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mothers | Children under 5. | Mothers | Children under 5. | Mothers | Children under 5. | |
| Cases Treated | 184 | 92 | 87 | 105 | 137 | 104 |
| Attendances | 657 | 160 | 277 | 278 | 539 | 169 |
| Fillings | 221 | 84 | 214 | 116 | 185 | 142 |
| Extractions | 446 | 139 | 288 | 92 | 274 | 44 |
| General Anaesthetics | 171 | 73 | 107 | 62 | 106 | 21 |
| Scalings | 92 | - | 57 | - | 67 | - |
| Dressings | 34 | 30 | 17 | 14 | 41 | 56 |
| Dentures | 26 | - | 11 | - | 30 | - |
Mrs. W.R.Thorne, L.D.S., reports as follows:-
The number of new cases during 1941 was 353, a considerable
decrease on the previous year. 43% of these attended the clinic,
a slight increase in attendance on the previous year. 902
appointments were given. 28% received complete treatment,
60% received partial treatment, the rest no treatment. A very
fee refused to be treated. On request a number of failures were
sent for again. The response was disappointing as very few of
these attended, and there are always the cases who ask to have
some part of their treatment postponed until after the birth
of the child. These rarely return unless for prosthetic work.
Though fewer cases were referred to the clinic a larger
percentage received treatment. The failures to complete are too
numerous and very discouraging: when the patient has not been in
the habit of receiving regular dental attention, it is hardly to
be expected that during pregnancy she would wish to have it.
Some failures are directly due to the mother being out at work
and, with her home duties she does not find time to have treatment.
30 dentures have been supplied, which is a good increase on the
previous year.
Dental sepsis is lessening, although there is no evidence that
greater attention is given to oral hygiene.
(c) Tonsils and Adenoids.- One case was operated on under the
arrangement made with the Connaught Hospital.
(d) Ophthalmic Defects and Minor Ailments.- Children are given
treatment either at the School Clinics or by special appointment.
28.