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 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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Vaccination - The vaccinal condition of each child examined at routine medical inspection was noted, find a summary shows the following
| Number Examined | No, found to be vaccinated | Percentage vaccinated | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrant s | Boys | 830 | 149 | 17.9 |
| Girls | 878 | 136 | 15.4 | |
| 2nd Age Group | Boys | 20 4 | 25 | 12.2 |
| Girls | 301 | 46 | 15.2 | |
| 3rd Age Group | Boys | 515 | 99 | 19 .2 |
| Girls | 397 | 72 | 18.1 | |
| Total | 3125 | 527 | 16.8 | |
Action under Article 20 (b). (exclusion of individual children)
At Medical Inspection 38
At School Clinics 996
Action under Article 2 2 (school closure Mil
Action under Article 23(b) (i.e., attendance below of number
on Register Not operative.
9. OPEN AIR EDUCATION
School Journeys and School Camps - There were none during the year.
Swimming - Swimming instruction was given throughout the season to
boys and girls.
10. PROVISION OP MEALS
(i) School Meals. The following is compiled from the report of
the Director of education to your Committee in September 1942, and
from additional information kindly supplied by him
"By January 194 2 , 2 1 50 meals per day were being supplied from
five kitchens In September 1942 the wood Street kitchen - with an
ultimate capacity of 1000 meals per day - was opened. The total
meals supplied per day in September was approximately 3500. This
rose by the end of the year to approximately 4000 per day, cooked
at six kitchen and served at schools.
Plans for further expansion are on hand in order to meet the
growing demand for midday meals.
The quality of the food supplied and the standard of cooking
have been maintained at a high level, and the school meals have
undoubtedly contributed to the maintenance of good health among
school children. The influence of the meals in the formation of
good dietetic habits is beginning to be apparent.
The Director of Education stresses that much of the success of
the scheme is due to voluntary supervision on the part of the touchers
and to the good work of the kitchen staffs under the school meals
supervisor .
2. Milk Meals. 402.652 milk meals were supplied to children on
medical grounds on the recommendation of the medical staff. The
number of meals supplied durinrs the preceding year was 479360.
3. Milk in schools scheme. The arrangements detailed in former
reports were continued in 1942, all the milk supplied being
pasteurised milk sold under license.
12 .
During the school vacations, Centres were opened for the supply
of milk, meals, The number supplied was as follows