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
Hackney 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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and they have continued the routine examination of children's
heads both during home visiting and at the clinics, paying particular
attention to the least satisfactory homes. In families where
there are adolescent girls the Health Visitors point out the need for
weekly washing and daily brushing and combing of the hair
There can be little doubt that the housing difficulties in the
Borough, due to widespread damage and destruction of dwellings
by enemy action, with the consequent overcrowding and discomfort,
are retarding the efforts of the people to maintain cleanliness and
reducing the effectiveness of the Department's help in this
direction.
The work done at the Council's Cleansing Station in 1945 is summarised in the following statement:—
| Scabies. | Head or body lice. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cases. | Treatments. | Cases. | Treatments. | |
| Children under 5 years | 338 | 1,811 | 240 | 267 |
| Children over 5 years | 1,018 | 2,577 | 1,161 | 1,798 |
| Adults | 1,255 | 4,458 | 271 | 314 |
| Totals | 2,611 | 8,846 | 1,672 | 2,379 |
It will be seen that lice infestation was most commonly found
among schoolchildren, and it is interesting to note that only 30
men were included among the 271 verminous adults cleansed.
Preventive treatment was given to 320 persons who had been in
close contact with persons suffering from scabies.
Information was received of 96 Hackney children of school
age who were treated for scabies at London County Council bathing
centres in adjoining boroughs and of 6 persons who were treated
at various hospitals and other treatment centres.
The Health Visitors called at the homes of all persons known
to be suffering from scabies and, as far as possible, inspected the
contacts.
It was necessary to serve the following notices under tlhe Scabies
Order, 1941:—
Notice to occupier to permit inspection of premises 4
Notice to attend for medical examination 1
Notice requiring attendance for treatment 5