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
Deptford 1925
Annual report on the health of the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford
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| Ante-natal Examinations. Period. | Number. | Babies' Special Clinic. Number. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two weeks ended Jan. 15 | (6 sessions) 117 | (2 sessions) | 7 | |
| „ ,, ,, ,, 29 | (6 „ ) 92 | (2 „ ) | 4 | |
| „ „ „ Feb. 12 | (6 „ ) 102 | (2 „ ) | 4 | |
| ,, ,, ,, „ 26 | (6 „ ) 97 | (2 „ ) | 5 | |
| „ „ „ Mar. 12 | (6 „ ) 95 | (2 „ ) | 1 | |
| ,, ,, ,, „ 26 | (6 „ ) 90 | (2 „ ) | 3 | |
| Four „ „ Apr. 23 | (9 „ ) 111 | (4 „ ) | — | |
| Two „ „ May 7 | (6 „ ) 115 | (2 „ ) | 2 | |
| Four „ „ June 4 | (11 „ ) 183 | (4 ,, ) | 3 | |
| Two „ „ „ 18 | (6 „ ) 52 | (2 „ ) | 2 | |
| ,, ,, ,, July 2 | (4 „ ) 58 | (2 „ ) | 2 | |
| ,, ,, ,, „ 16 | (6 „ ) 119 | (2 „ ) | 2 | |
| Six „ „ Aug. 27 | (17 „ ) 240 | (3 „ ) | 6 | |
| Two „ „ Sept. 10 | (6 „ ) 93 | (2 „ ) | 3 | |
| ,, ,, ,, ,, 25 | (6 „ ) 94 | (2 „ ) | 1 | |
| ,, ,, ,, Oct. 8 | (6 „ ) 82 | (2 „ ) | — | |
| Six „ „ Nov. 19 | (18 „ ) 273 | (6 „ ) | 5 | |
| Two „ „ Dec. 3 | (6 „ ) 91 | (2 „ ) | 1 | |
| Four „ „ Jan. 4, 1926 | (11 „ ) 222 | (3 „ ) | 2 | |
The Infant Welfare Centres are held in halls let to us by different
religious organisations. There are two exceptions, viz : the Goldsmiths'
Centre, held in a class-room at Goldsmiths' College, London University,
Lewisham High Road, and at the Princess Louise Centre, Hales Street.
Until 1922, the last-named Centre employed its own medical officer,
but during that year the Medical Officer of Health was allowed to
undertake the Thursday afternoon session. The doctor who had
officiated did the work well, but funds were not overflowing, hence the
change. This Centre is a voluntary one, except that the Council
provide two Health Visitors as well as the Medical Officer. In the
six Infant Welfare Centres there are voluntary workers whose services
are prized by the Council and officers.
It is, of course, realised that the value of a Centre depends largely
on the ability, conscientiousness and sympathy of the presiding doctor
(and of course the health visitors), and such centres should be within
fairly easy reach of the mothers; still it would be an asset if one fairly