London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Walthamstow 1945

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]

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32
kind co-operation and sympathetic understanding received in the
schools from Head Teachers and Teachers."
(viii) Convalescent Home Treatment.—65 children were sent
away for treatment during 1945. There were 26 remaining in convalescent
homes and hospital schools on December 31st, 1945. One
child was sent to convalescent home from the Rheumatism Clinic.
14. FULL-TIME COURSES OF HIGHER EDUCATION
FOR BLIND, DEAF, DEFECTIVE AND
EPILEPTIC STUDENTS.
The Authority for the provision for such courses is the Essex
County Council.
15. NURSERY SCHOOL.
Miss F. D. Harris the Head Teacher of the Nursery School
reports as follows:—
"The Walthamstow Nursery School returned from evacuation
on July 7th, 1945, and re-opened at Low Hall Lane on September
10th, with eighteen children, rising to ninety children on roll in
the early part of 1946.
During those first weeks in September we were struck by the
healthy condition of the children as compared with the majority
who attended the school in the years before 1939. It is now a very
small minority who are suffering from neglect or ill-nourishment.
I think this is due to the fact that most families have been having
an increased and regular income during the war years. Also they
have been influenced by the propaganda from the Ministry of Health,
local medical authorities, the wireless and the press concerning the
best way to ensure good health for their children. The Maternity
and Child Welfare clinics have helped them to put this knowledge
into practice, as well as supplying them with orange juice, cod-liver
oil, etc.
At the Nursery School, arrangements for medical inspection
are as follows:—A school nurse visits as far as possible each morning
to give advice concerning the children's health, etc. The school
doctor examines each new entrant and carries out an annual inspection
of all children and a re-inspection once a term. If any emergency
arises during the day the Superintendent Health Visitor and her
staff at the adjoining Welfare Centre are always most willing to help.
On Thursday mornings we normally take in several children to the
school session at the clinic for treatment of minor ailments and
diphtheria immunisation.