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

Holborn 1922

Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1922

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58
Training Institutions for Mid wives:—
Myddelton Square 44
Notified by parents only 31
Not notified 34
The number of births transferred to the Borough from outlying
institutions was 193
The number of births transferred from the Borough to other
districts was 14
The number of net births belonging to the Borough was 664
There are no Maternity Hospitals or Lying-in Institutions in the Borough.

Table: An analysis has been made of the birth cards to ascertain where the mothers living in crowded houses were confined. The information obtained is given below:—

An analysis has been made of the birth cards to ascertain where the mothers living in crowded houses were confined. The information obtained is given below:—

Living inConfined at Home.In Hospital.
No.Percentage.No.Percentage.
One roomed homes114666034
Two „ „185708130
Three „ ,,53643036
Four „ „32493451

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These figures show that many of the women are confined under very uncomfortable
and unfavourable circumstances.

Table: HOME VISITING. The visits paid to the homes by the Health Visitors during the year were as follows:—

HOME VISITING. The visits paid to the homes by the Health Visitors during the year were as follows:—

First Visits.Revisits.Total.
Expectant Mothers5664120
Children under 1 year of age6221,2161,838
Children over 1 year of age51,0361,041
Enquiries re stillbirths1212
„ re ophthalmia neonatorum12
Other Visits70

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In addition 654 visits were made by student Health Visitors.
As shown in the above Table, 622 visits to infants under one year were paid in
1922, subsequent to the receipt of a notification of birth. Some of these notifications
related to stillborn children, others to those who died shortly after birth, others
to those who were temporarily living at the address given. In a few instances
an incorrect address had been given and the mother could not be traced.
Five hundred and forty-four of the visits related to infants who came under
further observation, in their own home, or at a Centre.