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
Wimbledon 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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In addition, much greater time is devoted to the filling of
permanent teeth. As a consequence of this, the number of
temporary teeth tilled has dropped from 356 in 1929 to 17 in
1932.
(i) Crippling Defects and Orthopædics. The Orthopaedic
Clinic, which was commenced in July, 1931, was held every
month during 1932.
Fifty new cases were seen and 176 cases were re-examined.
The average number of children seen by the Orthopaedic Surgeon
per session was twenty-two. During the previous year the
figure was nineteen.
The following table shows the nature of the defects from which the children were suffering.
| Congenital Defects | 8 |
| Infantile Paralysis | 6 |
| Hemiplegia and Diplegia | 3 |
| Old cases of Osteomyelitis | 2 |
| Old amputations of limbs | 2 |
| Trauma | 3 |
| Rickets | |
| Tuberculous joints (arrested) | 1 |
| Pseudo-coxalgia | |
| Flat foot, knock knee, pes cavus, etc. | |
| Postural defects | 46 |
| Other defects | 8 |
| Children not suffering from orthopaedic defects | 8 |
| Total | 107 |
The following table gives an indication of the treatment carried out through this Clinic:—
| Number of children referred to Pyrford for in-patient treatment | 5 |
| Number of children referred to St. Thomas's Hospital for out-patient treatment | 2 |
| Number of children referred to St. Thomas's Hospital for X rays | 2 |
| Number of children referred for alterations to surgical boots, etc. | 20 |
| Number of children referred for exercises and massage | 42 |
| Total | 71 |