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 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDHOOD. Manifest tuberculosis is less common in children than in
adults. It usually takes a different form and if recognised early enough, is more amenable
to treatment. Close co-operation is maintained between the School Health Service and the
Chest Clinic in these cases. Dr. Galpin has submitted the following summary of the work
done at the Clinic in relation to school children:
Number of school children referred by School Medical Officer 20
Number of school children referred by General Medical Practitioners 59
Number of school children examined as contacts 115
Number of school children found to be suffering from tuberculosis 9
The classification and disposal of the definite cases is set out below:-Pulmonary:
| Effusion | 1 | |
| Lung primary | 2 | |
| Hilum Glands | 1 | |
| 4 | (2 were admitted to institutions) |
Non-Pulmonary:
| Ankle | 1 | |
| Hip | 1 | |
| Glands | 3 | |
| 5 | (2 were admitted to institutions) |
A comparative table of the rise and fall of scabies is set out below:-
| Year | Number of school children treated |
|---|---|
| 1937 | 254 |
| 1938 | 359 |
| 1939 | 305 |
| 1942 | 2,750 |
| 1943 | 1,900 |
| 1944 | 1,215 |
| 1945 | 1,033 |
| 1946 | 766 |
| 1947 | 372 |
| 1948 | 303 |
| 1949 | 125 |
Owing to war-time disturbances, figures for 1940 and 1941 are not available.
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