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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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(b) Tonics.—The following shows the quantity of tonics issued
during 1957:—
Cod Liver Oil
Parrish's Food Cod Liver Oil and Malt and
and Malt Parrish's Food
47 lbs. 84 lbs. 1,055 lbs.
(c) 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 Hackney Borough Council's Cleansing
Centre.
(d) Minor Ailments and Diseases of the Skin.—Treatment of
minor ailments is carried out at the seven sessions of the school
clinics, all of which are in charge of a medical officer.
Head Teachers were notified that as from December 1st the
Medical Staff would be available to see children without appointment
only between 9—10 a.m. It was suggested that when it was
inconvenient for a parent to attend at this time and any cases
requiring considerable consultation, a special appointment should
be arranged. Such appointments would be dealt with between
10 a.m. and noon.
The number of cases of minor ailments is shown in the following table detailing the work done at the school clinics:—
| First Inspections | Re-inspections | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boys | Girls | Boys | Girls | |
| Ringworm—Scalp | — | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| Body | 3 | — | 4 | 4 |
| Scabies | — | 1 | — | — |
| Impetigo | 7 | 8 | 32 | 26 |
| Other Skin Defects | 85 | 78 | 271 | 175 |
| Orthopaedic conditions | 56 | 42 | 56 | 31 |
| Tonsils and Adenoids | 10 | 11 | 7 | 7 |
| Other E.N.T. conditions | 60 | 51 | 66 | 79 |
| Defective Vision (including squint) | 61 | 71 | 11 | 12 |
| External Eye Diseases | 50 | 55 | 37 | 36 |
| Nervous and Psychological | ||||
| Disorders | 54 | 29 | 24 | 15 |
| Various | 489 | 346 | 724 | 682 |
| Totals | 874 | 696 | 1,240 | 1,073 |
First attendances numbered 1,570 against 1,565 in 1956 and
re-attendances 2,313 against 2,149, the total attendances being 3,883
against 3,714.
The following table shows the new cases and attendances at
Minor Ailment Clinics since the "appointed day" in July, 1948.
The decrease reflects the tendency for children to be taken to
family doctors.