Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chiswick]
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of Ringworm of the Scalp, one of the Body, nine mild cases
of Impetigo, and two non-contagious diseases were seen. The
majority of cases of skin diseases, of whom a large percentage
is sent by the teachers, are seen at the Special Inspections in
the Minor Ailment Clinic. These included seven cases of
Ringworm of the Scalp and 13 of the Body, six cases of
Scabies, and 131 of contagious Impetigo. The majority of
the other cases were septic condition of the skin and rashes
due to toxins chiefly of intestinal origin. The number of
cases of Ringworm and Scabies which were at one time among
the most troublesome conditions we had to treat, and
necessitated much absence from School, has diminished in a
very marked manner during the last few years. During the
early part of the year we were comparatively free from contagious
Impetigo, another skin disease for which children
have to be excluded from School, but after the summer holidays
it became much more prevalent and continued to do so up to
the end of the year. It is an interesting fact that this outbreak
coincided with the appearance of an unusual number of cases
of mild Pemphigus among the new-born infants.
External Eye Diseases Five children suffering from
Blepharitis (inflammation of the lids) and one case of
Lachryneal obstruction were seen during Routine Inspections.
At the Special Inspections there were '20 cases of Blepharitis,
21 of Conjunctivitis, two of Keratitis (inflammation of the
Cornea), two Corneal Opacities (both due to injury), and
eight other cases comprising Styes, Cysts and injuries.
Vision, including Squint.—At the Routine Inspections
84 cases of defective vision were seen, and 16 children were
brought to the Minor Ailment Clinic by their parents. All
were recommended to attend the Eye Clinic for examination
for glasses. As regards Squint, six were seen at Routine
Inspections, and two at Special Inspections. Of these cases
four were sent to the Eye Clinic for glasses. Two who were
already wearing glasses are being kept under observation,
and two were sent to Hospital for operation.
Ear Disease and Defective Hearing.—Twenty-seven
children suffering from defective hearing were seen, 15 at
Routine Inspections and 12 at Special Inspections. Except one
boy, who was sent to a Special School, all these children were