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 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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The following gives a summary of the returns:— A. Periodic Medical Inspections—
| Entrants | 1,979 |
| Second Age Group | 1,073 |
| Third Age Group | 2,030 |
| Others | 228 |
| Total | 5,310 |
| B. Other Inspections— | |
| Special Inspections | 2,055 |
| Re-inspections | 5,450 |
| Total | 7,505 |
Owing to the increase in the number of children on the
school rolls (22.4%) since 1947 and the consequent overcrowding
of accommodation it was not always possible for medical inspection
to take place under satisfactory conditions. Special facilities have
been provided in the newer schools.
6. REVIEW OF THE FACTS DISCLOSED BY
MEDICAL INSPECTION
(N.B.—The numbers given below refer to medical and special inspection
at schools and do not include other examinations at clinics.)
(a)
| Number Inspected | Good | Fair | Bad | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | '% | No | % | No. | % | ||
| Entrants | 1.979 | 1,459 | 73.7 | 518 | 26.2 | 2 | 0.1 |
| Second Age Group | 1,073 | 846 | 78.8 | 217 | 20.2 | 10 | 0.9 |
| Third Age Group | 2,030 | 1,541 | 75.9 | 482 | 23.7 | 7 | 0.3 |
| Others | 228 | 135 | 59.2 | 83 | 36.4 | 10 | 4.4 |
| Totals | 5,310 | 3,981 | 75.0 | 1,300 | 24.5 | 29 | 0.5 |
(b)
| 1954 | 1953 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average visits to schools | 4 | 4 |
| Total examinations | 34,547 | 36,031 |
| No. of individual pupils found unclean | 235 | 387 |
| Percentage uncleanliness of average attendance | 1.29 | 2.16 |
The highest and lowest percentages since 1947 were 6.2 in 1949
and 1.29 in 1954. The average number of children found unclean