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
Tottenham 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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least three occasions in the life of each school child. Close contact between the
head teachers, class teachers and the school nurse is maintained at all times. It
may be the occasion when the nurse makes recommendations to the head teacher
that the child should see his family doctor, attend a clinic or temporarily be
excluded from school.
The problem of reducing the number of vermin infested children in schools
has been the grave concern of school nurses for many years and has taxed their
resolution, patience, ingenuity and tact. It is not uncommon today for parents to
seek the help and advice of the school nurse before the condition has had a
chance to affect others and to submit each member of the family for scrunity in
order to clear up the matter. This new commonsense attitude of parents appears
to be replacing the old antagonisms and feelings of parental guilt associated with
infestation.
which together have reduced the infestation figures, as shown in the following table:-
| 1947 Homsey - Total number of examinations | 21595 |
| Total number of pupils found to be infested | 105 |
| 1947 Tottenham - Total number of examinations | 71251 |
| Total number of pupils found to be infested | 170 |
| Total number of pupils in respect of whom cleansing notices were issued (Section 54, Education Act 1944) | 16 |
| 1958 Homsey and Tottenham (combined figures) | |
| Total number of examinations | 62927 |
| Total number of pupils found to be infested | 161 |
| Total number of pupils in respect of whom cleansing notices were issued | - |
The decline in the school nurse s work connected with verminous conditions
and minor ailments has, to some extent, been replaced by work linked with B.C.G.
and poliomyelitis vaccination campaigns. In general the trend of the school
nursing service is more preventive in character than it has ever been. There is
more opportunity for the school child to meet the school nurse as a friend with
whom all sorts of things can be discussed unhurriedly. This is a healthier
position from which the school child can view the machinery of the health services
and may have far-reaching results. In the School for the Physically Handicapped
a fulltime nurse is employed, and her duties regarded as an integral part of the
life of the school. She sees the children into and out of school transport, deals
with minor disorders, attends medical inspections, carries out treatment prescribed
by the school medical officer and by visiting consultants. She also visits the
homes of pupils where necessary; is present at school meals and takes part in
out-of-school activities by accompanying school parties to various Saturday