London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Tottenham 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]

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66
Routine Medical Inspections

The following table shows the number of children inspected by years of birth and the classification of their physical condition:-

Year of BirthNumber of pupils inspectedPhysical Condition of Pupils Inspected
SatisfactoryUnsatisfactory
Number%Number%
1957 & later49248799.051.0
19561128110197.6272.4
195550149298.291.8
195431029795.8134.2
19531261125299.390.7
19521641163399.580.5
195119219099.021.0
195047347099.430.6
19491585157599.4100.6
194878878499.540,5
19471074106999.550.5
1946 & earlier3478347099.880.2
Total129231282099.21030.8

For the second successive year there was an increase in the total number of
children examined, but in 1961 there was a small rise (0.4%) in the proportion of
pupils deemed to be of "unsatisfactory" general condition. The term "unsatisfactory"
itself leaves a lot to be desired, since the assessment cannot be based entirely on
objective criteria, but must to some extent lie in the eyes of the beholder. Thus, a
child might appear thin to one medical officer, but wiry to another, and be assessed
differently in consequence.
It needs reiterating, however, that the terms "satisfactory" and "unsatisfactory"
apply only to the child's general physique and many a "satisfactory" child is referred
to the appropriate specialist for minor defects of sight, hearing and posture.
Infectious Diseases in School Children, 1961
Apart frommeasles, which showed the sharp increase anticipated in the alternate
year, there were no epidemics throughout the Area in 1961.
Poliomyelitis
As a matter for encouragement but not complacency, it is a pleasure to record that
there were no cases of poliomyelitis in school children in either borough. In July,
a 12 year old Hornsey girl was admitted to hospital as a suspected case, but subsequent
laboratory investigations confirmed theultimate diagnosis if staphylococcal septicaemia.