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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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One boy and one girl reached the age of 16 years and both
proceeded to gainful employment in local factories. One boy was
excluded as ineducable.
The school has been extended slightly during the year. Three
classrooms in the Open Air School have been made available for
our use. Both children and staff appreciate the change.
New entrants during the year have on the whole been less
unstable than those of the previous year.
The health of the children has been well maintained.
(vi) Child Guidance Clinic.— Dr. Elizabeth Whatley,
Psychiatrist to the Child Guidance Clinic, reports as follows:—
TABLE 1
Analysis of problems referred to the Clinic
| Nervous disorders, e.g., fears, depression, apathy, excitability | 40 |
| Habit disorders and physical symptoms, e.g., enuresis, speech disorders, sleep disturbances, feeding difficulties, tics, fits | 66 |
| Behaviour disorders, e.g., unmanageable, tempers, stealing, lying, sex problems | 44 |
| Educational, e.g., backwardness, failure to concentrate | 17 |
| Court cases | 8 |
| Total | 175 |
TABLE 2
Source of referral.
| Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officers | 98 |
| Head Teachers | 42 |
| Speech Therapist | 3 |
| Education Department | 2 |
| Psychologist | 4 |
| Parents | 5 |
| Private Doctors | 6 |
| Court | 8 |
| Other Clinics or Psychiatrists | 5 |
| Social Agencies | 1 |
| Miscellaneous | 1 |
| Total | 175 |