London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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West Ham 1928

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]

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given for treatment on behalf of the Education Authority. 43
cases out of 80 received X-Ray treatment. Ringworm of the
body is more amenable to drug treatment, and 208 such cases
were treated at the Clinics.
Scabies is sometimes a difficult skin disease to treat at the
Clinics, as one must rely to a certain extent on domestic measures
as well. Nevertheless, 94 cases were cured at the Clinics. (See
Table IV., Group 1.)
(e) EXTERNAL EYE DISEASE.
These conditions figure largely among the children sent to
the Clinics by the Head Teachers. The number treated
under the Authority's Scheme, as compared with that
undertaken privately, is shown in Table IV(1), under the heading
of "Minor Ailments." Only 41 cases were treated by private
endeavour.
({) DEFECTIVE VISION.
The Authority have made arrangements for these defects to
be dealt with at the Balaam Street Clinic. Mr. E. Erskine
Henderson, F.R.C.S., and Dr. G. A. Troup, the Committee's
Oculists, undertake refractions on three afternoon sessions per
week.
There is usually a waiting list for this treatment, which is
made up from the recommendations of the Assistant School
Medical Officers at their routine and special inspections in school.
Apart from this, the teachers notify the School Medical Officer
direct at any time of children who appear to have defective sight.
Prescriptions are made up at contract prices. Every case
prescribed for is followed up, and warning letters are sent to parents
who persistently neglect their children's requirements in this
direction.
All cases are re-inspected within three months, to see if the
glasses are suitable and giving satisfaction. The following brief
statistics summarise the whole work of the year at the Eye Clinics
(Elementary and Higher Educational Institutions) :—
Cases sent to Ophthalmic Specialists 2715
Number attended 2140
Percentage attendance 78.7
Number of Clinic Days 117
Table IV., Group II., gives the results from the Elementary
Schools.
(g) EAR DISEASE AND DEAFNESS.
These conditions are usually treated at the four Clinics under
the Committee's Scheme. There are two reasons that lead to this
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