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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Number of children sent by Head Teachers 3618
Number of swabs taken 181
Number operated on for Tonsils and Adenoids 5.
Number of children seen by Ophthalmic Surgeon - New cases 276
Prescribed for 295
Total inspections 1923
First attendances numbered 3748 against 2114 in 1941, and
re-attendances 9547 against 6728, the total attendances being 1322
against 8842.
(a) Vis ual Defects and External Eye Diseases. Treatment for the
latter is given at the school clinics.
Dr. Sheppard has kindly contributed the following account o
the work done during 1942 :-
"There has been no alteration in the routine of the eye
clinic during the past. year.
The number of children failing to keep appointments has been larger than usual probably due to the mothers being engaged in war work and so being unable to attend.
| Under 7 yrs | 7-11 yrs | Over yr | 11 s | Secondary Schools | Totals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bys | Gls | Bys Gls | Bys | Gls | Bys | Gls | Bys | Gls | ||
| Hypermetropia | 10 | 7 | 11 | , ! 10 | 5 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 27 | 33 |
| Hypermetropic Astigmatism. | - | 5 | 8 | 21 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 42 |
| Myopic Astigmatism. | - | 2 | 4 | l | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
| Mixed Astigmatism | 1 | - | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | - | 3 | 7 | 14 |
| Myopia | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 28 | 33 |
| Various | 25 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 53 | 43 |
| Totals | 37 | 38 | 44 | 54 | 48 | 63 | 12 | 20 | 141 | 175 |
The details of the group described as various are as follows
| Defects | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squints | 26 | 57 | |
| Headache, anaemia, styes, debility | 19 | 16 | 35 |
| No visual defect | 3 | 1 |
The Orthoptist has continued her work during the year
with excellent results".
The following report on the work of the Orthoptic clinic
has been given by Miss G.H, Monta gue-Smith , Orthoptist : -
New cases 55. Old cases 33 Number of attendances.95
Cases treated with orthoptic exercises and for Amblyopia 52
Cured of Amblyopia 4
Awaiting operation 5
Discharged - Cured 6)
Improved 7 ) 18
Unresponsive 5)
05
Still under treatment 25
Attending for "Tests" only 27
On waiting list 5
Unsuitable for treatment 4
Operations for Squint 2
8