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 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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(d) Visual Defects & External Eye Diseases.- Dr.Sheppard has
kindly contributed the following account of the work done
during 1944:-
found in the new cases. There were no alterations made in the clinic routine during the year".
| Under 7 yrs. | 7-11 yrs. | Over 11 yrs. | Secondary Schools | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By s | . Gls | . Bys. | Gls. | Bys. | Gls. | Bys. | Gls. | Boys | Girls | |
| Hypermetropia | 4 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 31 |
| Hypermetropic Astigmatism | 1 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 28 | 31 |
| Myopic Astigmatism | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 20 | 12 |
| Mixed | ||||||||||
| Astigmatism | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 16 |
| Myopia | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 24 | 11 | 26 | 41 | 57 |
| Various | 18 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 6 | 7 | 58 | 55 |
| Totals | 27 | 26 | 56 | 52 | 66 | 72 | 29 | 52 | 178 | 202 |
The details of the group described as "various" are as follows:-
| Defects | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squint | 22 | 19 | 41 |
| Headaches, anæmia, styes, debility, etc. | 19 | 20 | 39 |
| No visual defects | 17 | 16 | 33 |
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.Montague Smith, Orthoptist:-
New cases 60. Old cases 109. No. of attendances 1452.
It is impossible to give the normal full report owing to so much
evacuation. The treatment of so many children has been curtailed
and the all important factor in orthoptics, i.e., continuity of
treatment has been severely affected. Some of the clinics had to
be cancelled, although now they are working fully again. In
February two extra sessions were begun, and Miss Meyer appointed
to take over the additional work, so that at the present time
there are six sessions held weekly.
(e) Nose and Throat Defects - The scheme for treatment remained
the some as detailed in previous reports.
The following table gives the number of cases treated:-
Year At Connaught Hospita1. Privately Total.
1944 27 1 28
1943 46 7 53
(f) Ear Disease and Defective Hearing - Ear Clinic:Dr.Francis
Clarke reports as follows:-
The work of the ear, nose and throat clinic was carried on
during 1.944 along the same lines as in previous years. A total
number of 396 new coses were seen and appropriate treatment
arranged for. Of this total, 129 were ear cases; 96 acute
and 33 chronic and 223 were nose and/or throat cases.
9.