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 West Ham]
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Chief defects referred for Treatment and Observation:—
| Defect | Treatment | Observation |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 6 | — |
| Defective vision | 66 | 12 |
| Squint | 1 | — |
| Otitis media | 1 | — |
| Enlarged Tonsils | 3 | — |
| Other Throat conditions | 1 | 1 |
| Defective speech | — | 2 |
| Oral Sepsis | 2 | — |
| Heart Disease | 1 | 2 |
| Anaemia | 1 | 1 |
| Bronchitis | 4 | — |
| Other Disease (not T.B.) | 1 | — |
| Spinal Curvature | 4 | — |
| Other deformities | 1 | 1 |
| Other defects | 5 | 4 |
Re-inspection.
Skin Diseases : Five much improved; one much the same.
Defective Vision: Sixty-six boys were examined by the Eye
Specialist, and all were prescribed glasses; 65 obtained
them.
Squint: The boy was prescribed glasses, and he obtained same.
Otitis Media: Case recovered.
Enlarged Tonsils: Two cases improving as a result of medical
treatment. One case refuses operative treatment.
Other Throat Conditions: One case recovered. The other case
—one of deflected nasal septum—has not yet had the
operation performed.
Defective Speech: The two cases much the same.
Oral Sepsis: One case had treatment, the other had not.
Heart Disease: One boy now deceased (severe congenital defect),
the other two cases now almost normal.
Anaemia: Boy now recommended for a stay at the Fyfield Openair
School.
Bronchitis: All four cases now practically clear.
Other Chest Diseases (not T.B.): Asthma. Boy leaving the
district for Dagenham.
Spinal Curvature: All the boys improving as a result of special
exercises.
Other Deformities: Both cases recovered.
Other Defects (9): i.e., Sprains, fracture, abscess, boils and
rapid growth; six cases have quite recovered, three cases
almost so.
Before concluding this report there are two points I should
like to stress, viz., the nutritional state of the children and the
incidence of heart disease.
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