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
Brentford and Chiswick 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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Classification of conditions treated at Orthopaedic Clinic:—
| School Children | M. & C.W. Children | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Congenital Defects— | ||
| Irregular toes, congenital pes pb. valgus | 5 | 4 | |
| Dislocation of the hip | - | 2 | |
| Spastic paralysis | 1 | 2 | |
| Other conditions | 4 | - | |
| 2. | Birth Injuries— | ||
| Torticollis | I | 2 | |
| 3. | Rickety Deformities— | ||
| Bowed tibiae | 3 | 20 | |
| Knock knees | 10 | 12 | |
| Other conditions | 1 | 4 | |
| 4. | Knock knees (non-rickety) | 2 | 1 |
| 5. | Postural defects of the spine including flat chest | 23 | - |
| 6. | Structural curvature of the spine, depressed sternum, etc. | 9 | - |
| 7. | Flat feet, foot strain, Pes cavus, Hallux valgus | 27 | 3 |
| 8. | Sequelae of acute fevers and septic arthritis | 2 | - |
| 9. | Fractures | 5 | - |
| 10. | Other bone diseases (non-tuberculous) | 5 | 1 |
| 11. | Osteomyelitis | 1 | - |
| 12. | Other conditions including postural intoeing | 2 | 1 |
| 13. | Non-orthopaedic | 1 | - |
Mr. Seddon reports as follows:—
The work of the orthopaedic clinic has gone smoothly
during the past year, in spite of the increasing inadequacy of
the quarters at Portsdown House. It is encouraging to know
that this will soon be remedied by the provision of a new clinic
building, the plans for which are most satisfactory.
The clasification of diagnoses is a new one. It is intended
to establish some sort of connection with the activities of other
departments of the Public Health Service and has been adopted
by the Medical Officers of Health in twelve of the administrative
areas working in conjunction with the Royal National Orthopaedic
Hospital. No doubt further experience will suggest
modifications, but its value is already becoming apparent.
One disquieting feature of the work in the Brentford and
Chiswick area is revealed by the current figures, namely, the
relatively high incidence of deformity due to rickets;