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 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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Some years ago the advice of the Faculty of Ophthalmologists was sought by the
Ministry of Education In regard to this subject and the following are extracts from their
recommendations:-
"(a) It is desirable that all children should be tested for colour vision some time
during their school career.
(b) Primarily, all children should be tested by the Ishihara method in good daylight,
and all failures should be re-tested by a lantern test,
(c) Any child who is colour blind should not be regarded as a disabled person".
There is a difference of opinion among authorities as to what groups of the school
population should be tested. This is a question of policy which might well receive some
early consideration.
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE AURAL CLINICS
by
C.J.Scott, M.B., Ch.B., D.L.0.
The work of these clinics continues as in previous years and the attendances were
up to standard.
For the parents and patients, these clinics with their locale near the homes and
schools, and the staff whom they have come to know, provide a medical service which they
have come to trust and not to fear.
No special problems occurred during the year.
Regular visits are made to the West Ham School for the Deaf, Tunmarsh Lane.
The following figures snow attendances for the year:-
| New cases | School Children 307 | Maternity & Child Welfare 66 |
|---|---|---|
| Total attendances | 1,483 | 129 |
| Tonsils and Adenoids referred | 87 | 21 |
| Tonsils and Adenoids operations | 90 | 8 |
| Other operations | 2 | - |
| Discharges | 151 | 37 |
In addition to the tonsil and adenoid operations performed by Mr.Scott, 138 are known
to have taken place elsewhere. Five hundred and sixty-two children were treated for various
conditions affecting the ears, nose and throat; 263 of these were given treatment at minor
ailment clinics. Details of the ascertainment of deaf children are given on page 78.
HEARING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN. As stated in my last Report the audiometrician resigned
her appointment in November 1952. It has not been possible to make another appointment and
this work has therefore been held in abeyance.
The school medical officers, however, refer any cases of suspected deafness to the
Aural Specialist and if he considers that there is any degree of deafness present a pure-
tone audiogram is taken. Should the audiogram confirm a loss of hearing sufficient to
warrant special educational treatment steps are taken to ascertain the child as deaf or
partially deaf and appropriate action is taken.
67