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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TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDHOOD. Manifest tuberculosis is less common in children than in adult
It usually takes different forms and, given early recognition, it is much more easily treated.
The diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous children is the responsibility of the Regional Hospital
Board, and their supervision is primarily in the hands of the Chest Physician. Dr. Galpin 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 33
Number of school children referred by General Medical Practitioners 71
Number of school children examined as contacts 155
Number of school children found to be suffering from tuberculosis 16
The classification and disposal of the definite cases is set out belowj-
Pulmonary:
Primary complex 8
Pleural effusion 3
Removed area 2
13 (10 were admitted to institutions)
Non-Pulmonary:
Femur 1
Renal 1
Spine 1
3 (3 were admitted to institutions)
SCABIES. The number of cases coming to the knowledge of the School Health Service
showed a further decline even from the small figures of the previous year. For the past three
years the numbers have been consistently smaller than the pre-war averages, even after allowing
for the smaller school population. It gives some grounds for hoping that scabies may be a
declining disease, like ringworm; but it has had its fluctuations in the past, and several
years' more experience will be required before it is possible to predict with any confidence
what the future prospects for the disease will be.
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 |
1950 | 103 |
1951 | 25 |
Owing to war-time disturbances, figures for 1940 and 1941 are not available.
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