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 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE PAEDIATRIC CLINIC,
by Dr. E. Hinden, M.D., M.R.C.P
The year8s work has continued smoothly. Laboratory facilities continue to be provided
at Whipps Cross Hospital, and our X-ray examinations are done at St.Mary's Hospital,
Plaistow. I am very grateful to both these hospitals for their continued help. I have
noticed that the average age of the children referred to the Paediatric Clinics seems to
be getting "less, and there is, at times, almost a preponderance of Maternity and Child
Welfare patients. I think this is an excellent sign; it means that the children are coming
under care earlier, with greater possibilities of treatment.
I am glad to say that our relations with the local General Practitioners remain
very good; in many instances they have referred children directly to the clinics.
Statistics relating to the work of the clinic follow:-
| Rheumatic | Nutritional | General Consultative. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School children | M. & C. W | School children | M„ & C. W. | School children | M. & C. W. | |
| Number of new cases seen | 54 | – | 5 | – | 105 | 97 |
| Total attendances | 225 | – | 28 | – | 302 | 181 |
| Number admitted to Hospital | 13 | – | H | – | 20 | 6 |
| Number recommended for Open Air School or other special educational treatment | 5 | – | – | 11 | ||
| Number referred to other special clinics | 7 | – | 1 | – | 31 | 8 |
| Number discharged during year | 41 | – | 4 | – | 90 | 58 |
| Number under observation at end of year | 80 | – | 16 | – | 79 | 59 |
TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDHOOD. Manifest tuberculosis is less common in children than in
adults. It usually takes different forms and, given early recognition, it is much more
easily treated„ This is a service which is provided by the Chest Clinics but is of considerable
importance to the School Health Service. Dr.Galpin, the Chest Physician, has
accordingly contributed the following summary of the work which he has done in relation to
school children.,
Number of school children referred by School Medical Officer 10
Number of school children referred by General Medical Practitioners 37
Number of school children examined as contacts 109
Number of school children found to be suffering from tuberculosis 8
The classification and disposal of the definite cases is set out below:-
Pulmonary:
Miliary 1
Lung primary 4
Hilum Glands 1
6 (3 were admitted to institutions)
60