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
Walthamstow 1921
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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Those not progressing satisfactorily were referred to Dr. Sorley.
The results of his examinations of the children between 5 and 14 years of age sent to him in 1921 were as follows:—
| Boys. | Girls. | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuberculosis of Lungs | 4 | 5 |
| Probable suspected | — | — |
| No definite signs | 29 | 17 |
| Tubercular Glands | 1 | — |
| „ Spine | 1 | — |
Skin Diseases.—Only a very small number of these were found on
medical inspection. Ten children had slight Impetiginous Sores and
three Ringworm of the Head. This is what one would expect since
the Teachers have by experience become quite as familiar with these
diseases and quite as keen in their cure as the School Nurses.
Impetiginous or Contagious Sores in children seem perennial. They
cause discomfort and are unsightly, and account for a good deal of loss
of school attendance.
All such children are sent to the Clinic for treatment.
It is not uncommon to find these Impetiginous Sores infected with
Diphtheria Baccilli, and children so suffering have been known to cause
virulent Diphtheria in others.
Were it not for the Teachers "diagnosing" these and similar
diseases—a reprehensible practice as viewed by the Medical Officer to
the Board in 1912—all the children in some of our schools would in
turn suffer from them.
The number of children seen and treated for Ringworm was greater
than in the previous year, but the condition in individual children was
much milder and generally of shorter duration. Those requiring X Ray
treatment numbered 29 as against 48 in 1920.
External Eye Diseases.—These were of a minor character
and generally yielded to treatment administered at the Clinic. The
diseases and the numbers of children so suffering are given on Table II.
Children with Corneal Ulcer are invariably sent by the Teachers to
the Clinic upon the first appearance of symptoms, and this accounts for
the few found at Medical Inspection. The treatment of this and other
conditions of a serious nature is directed by Dr. Corbett.
Defects of Vision.—Table IV shows that 370 children or 9 percent.
of the total, excluding the infants, were found at the Routine
Medical Inspection to be suffering from Defective Vision.
Most of these chiidren, together with 350 others, were subsequently
seen at the School Clinic, and appointments were made for them to see
the Ophthalmic Surgeon.