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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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17
7. ARRANGEMENTS FOR TREATMENT.
(a) Tonics.—The following- shows the quantities of tonics
issued during 1952:—
Cod Cod Liver Oil
Cod Liver Parrish's Syrup Lacto- Liver Oil and Malt and
Oil. Food. phosphate. and Malt. Parrish's Food. Emulsion
l5½lb. 190 1b. 34 1b. 1,282 1b. 2,102 1b. 51 lb.
(b) Uncleanliness.—Treatment with Suleo was carried out
with satisfactory results, and advice and treatment is available at
all clinics and welfares. Steel combs are supplied at the various
centres at cost price, and on loan in cases of necessity. Special
treatment is available at the Borough Council's Cleansing Centre.
(c) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.—Treatment
of minor ailments is carried out at the eight sessions of the school
clinics, all of which are in charge of a medical officer.
The number of cases of skin disease is shown in the following table detailing the work done at the school clinic:—
| First Inspections | Re-inspections | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys | Girls | Bovs | Girls | |
| Ringworm—Scalp | - | - | - | — |
| Body | — | 2 | — | — |
| Scabies | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Impetigo | 17 | 12 | 26 | 28 |
| Other Skin Defects | 79 | 82 | 265 | 246 |
| Verminous Head | 18 | 101 | 132 | 733 |
| Discharging Ears and Deafness | 52 | 46 | 199 | 198 |
| Tonsils and Adenoids | 33 | 22 | 37 | 37 |
| Defective Vision (including | ||||
| squint) | 56 | 81 | 7 | 23 |
| External Eye Diseases | 101 | 119 | 92 | 118 |
| Sores | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 |
| Various | 1149 | 1007 | 2846 | 2648 |
| Totals | 1513 | 1477 | 3612 | 4032 |
First attendances number 2,990 against 3,106 in 1951, and
re-attendances 7,644 against 6,894, the total attendances being
10,634 against 10,000.
The following table shows the new cases and attendances at
Minor Ailment Clinics since 1948. The position now appears to
be fairly static and probably reflects the tendency for children to
be taken to their family doctors
1948 1949 1950 1951 1952
New Cases 5,086 3,757 3,356 3,106 2,990
Attendances 16,490 14,112 11,515 10,000 10,634