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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDHOOD.- The number of children in whom active tuberculosis is
found remains comparatively small but has shown no marked trend of recent years. A summary
of the work of the West Ham Chest Clinic in this respect has kindly been contributed by
Dr. Lawless, the Chest Physician.
Number of school children referred by Assistant School Medical Officers 7
Number of school children referred by General Practitioners 50
Number of school children examined as contacts 203
Number of school children found to be suffering from tuberculosis 14
The classification and disposal of the definite cases is set out below:-
Respiratory Non Respiratory
Pleural Effusion 2 Hip 1
Primary 1 Cervical Glands 1
Miliary 1 Rt. Axillary glands 1
Pulmonary tuberculosis 3 Meningitis 1
All the above children admitted to institutions.
SCABIES. The incidence of scabies remains very small. 35 cases were discovered among
school children this year as compared with 25 during 1951 These give rates of 0.09 and 0.12
per cent of the school population.
Previous annual reports have shown the steady decline of this infestation from the wartime peak of 2,750 cases in 1942: it is interesting to compare the present incidence with that of the middle years between the wars when the rates were also low. To this end the following table has been compiled:-
| Year | Number of cases | School Population | Incidence % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | 66 | 50,279 | 0.13 |
| 1927 | 82 | 49,660 | 0.l6 |
| 1928 | 100 | 48,939 | 0.22 |
| 1951 | 25 | 28,178 | 0.09 |
| 1952 | 35 | 29,139 | 0.12 |
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT TREATMENT. In previous annual reports a record has appeared under this
heading showing the number of school children referred to the Children's Hospital, Balaam
Street, for light treatment. Now that this work is being done at the Council's own physiotherapy
clinics it is more appropriately recorded along with the other services given there. An account
will be found on page 76.
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
by
J.H. Glen, L.D.S., Senior Dental Officer.
The proposed alteration in the General Dental Services which came into effect in June of
this year did not produce the hoped for improvement in the staffing problems of the Dental Clinic,
and no further appointment of a full-time officer could be made. The total staff available for
the treatment of school children without limitation by age groups plus the children under
79