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 1957

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

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Table: The following figures relate to the findings in West Ham during 1957 :-

The following figures relate to the findings in West Ham during 1957 :-

Number examinedNo. who had tonsillectomy performedPercentage
BOYS:
Entrants1,022686.65
Second Age Group1,41233623.79
Third Age Group1,24435627.00
Additional Periodic80919724.35
GIRLS:
Entrants913687.45
Second Age Group1,34833925.15
Third Age Group1,21032326.69
Additional Periodic75618023.89
Combined Totals:8,7141,84721.20

Table: The following figures relate to England and Wales for 1957:-

The following figures relate to England and Wales for 1957:-

Number examinedPercentage who had tonsillectomy
BOYS AND GIRLS:
Entrants522,0956.9 (36,118)
Intermediate468,88920.2 (94,953)
Leavers359,78620.9 (74,354)
Total:1,350,77015.2(205,425)
ORTHOPAEDIC AND POSTURAL DEFECTS

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As in previous years children with the more severe defects were referred to the
orthopaedic surgeons at various hospitals. In the Council's own physiotherapy service
75 children were treated at Forest Street and Grange Road clinics and at Elizabeth Fry
Special School during the year. Cases known to have been treated outside the Council's
scheme numbered 79. Eleven children were also known to have been hospital in-patients.
In accordance with the National Health Service arrangements, surgical boots and orthopaedic
appliances are provided by the hospital when needed.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
The superintendent physiotherapist continued her work on a part-time basis
assisted by two other physiotherapists who, for the greater part of the year, worked
full-time.
Children are usually referred to the physiotherapist by the l@sal authority medical
officers. An increasing number of general practitioners refer cases for breathing exercises,
foot exercises and ultra-violet irradiation, and consultants at London hospitals sometimes
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