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 1954

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]

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Table: At the examinations held at the grammar and technical schools during the year the following results were obtained:-

At the examinations held at the grammar and technical schools during the year the following results were obtained:-

Number examinedColour-blindPercentage Colour-blind
Boys692355.06
Girls62720.31
The following figures relate to the findings during the last nine years:-
Number examinedColour-blindPercentage Colour-blind
Boys7,8024225.40
Girls7,785100.13

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The advice of the Faculty of Ophthalmologists on this subject was sought by the
Ministry of Education some years ago. 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".
The standard School Medical Record has a space for the recording of "Colour Vision",
and the school-leaving medical report to the Youth Employment Service also notes this
subject and if the child is defective the medical officer indicates that the pupil should
not enter any occupation involving normal colour vision. Defective colour vision does not
render a child disabled under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act.
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE AURAL CLINICS
by
C.J.Scott, M.B., Ch.B., D.L.O.
These clinics continue to give useful service to the school children in the Borough
of West Ham, and the parents and children find them a convenient means for regular examination
and supervision.
99