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
West Ham 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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On the whole the attendance of those referred for treatment
has been satisfactory, and this no doubt has conduced towards
the results noted.
Blind Persons' Act.
During the year two men and one woman were examined
and reported on as being suitable for training under the above Act.
Pathological Work.
The microscopical examination of sputum for the ptesence of
the tubercle bacillus is undertaken by the Tuberculosis Officer.
Throat swabs are taken by the School Medical staff as required,
and sent to the Superintendent of the Plaistow Fever Hospital
for cultivation and report.
The microscopic diagnosis of ringworm of the head is undertaken
by the School Medical staff in the Laboratory provided for
that purpose. During the year under consideration 19 hair specimens
were examined, and 18 found to be positive.
I am indebted to Mr. Slattery (Tramways Manager) for the following Table which shows the number of children carried at halfpenny fares in all West Ham and London County Council No. 8 Service cars during school holidays in 1928, 1929, and 1930, and the advantage taken by the children of the facilities granted.
| 1930. | 1929. | 1928. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Period | No. of days in operation | Number carried | No. of days in operation | Number carried | No. of days in operation | Number carried |
| Easter | 10 | 147,976 | 10 | 150,847 | 10 | 146,753 |
| Whitsun | 8 | 124,950 | 8 | 130,863 | 8 | 126,592 |
| Summer | 31 | 384,906 | 31 | 404,545 | 32 | 396,429 |
| Christmas | 15 | 207,087 | 15 | 202,776 | 15 | 192,150 |
| Totals | 64 | 864,919 | 64 | 889,031 | 65 | 861,924 |
| Av. per day | - | 13,514 | — | 13,891 | — | 13,260 |
CONCLUSION.
The teachers in the Infants' Departments have been relieved
of the duty of making out the cards on admission of a pupil, and
these dossiers, as well as those of children up to 8 years, are now
kept in my office instead of at the school as formerly. In course of
time this will result in the medical dossiers of every school child
being filed in my Department. Head Teachers can, of course,
obtain any information concerning the child's medical history and
condition upon application.
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