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
Richmond upon Thames 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
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383 permanent teeth had to be extracted. This is because
parents do not realise that a child's first permanent molars come
in at six years of age. It is quite common to find these molars
decayed so much that nothing but extraction is possible. These
teeth were considered to be first teeth and were neglected with the
above result.
When it is found necessary to extract several teeth, a general
anaesthetic is given, either Nitrous Oxide Gas or Ethyl Chloride.
A special Dental Clinic is held once a fortnight for this purpose,
and the School Medical Officer administers the anaesthetics.
During 1933 1 administered anaesthetics to 431 children, as
compared with 503 in 1932.
During the year the following amounts were received as fees at the Clinic:—
| £ | s. | d. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental fees | 59 | 4 | 0 |
| Tonsil and Adenoid Fees | 1 | 8 | 6 |
| £60 | 12 | 6 |
In addition to the above fees paid by parents grants to the
Education Committee to the value of £7 13s. 0d. were made in
respect of operations for enlarged tonsils and adenoids in cases
where the parents were contributors to the Hospital Saturday Fund
or Hospital Savings Association, so that the total amount received
as fees was £68 5s. 6d.
8. Infectious Diseases.
It was not found necessary to close any of the schools for
infectious disease during 1933.
9. Open-Air Schools.
There is no open-air school in the Borough. At all Medical
Inspections, however, a note is made of those children who would
benefit by attendance at an open-air school.