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
Kensington 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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| Workshops on the Register (s. 131) at the end of the Year. | Number. | |
|---|---|---|
| Important classes of workshops, such as workshop bakehouses, may be enumerated here. | 271 | |
| Workshop Laundries | 63 | |
| Workshop Bakehouses | 77 | |
| Other Workshops | 1.137 | |
| Total number of workshops on Register | 1,548 | |
V.—Other Matters.
| Class. | Number. | |
|---|---|---|
| Matters notified to H.M. Inspectors of Factories:— | ||
| Failure to affix Abstract of the Factory and Workshop Act (s. 133) | 5 | |
| Action taken in matters referred by H.M. Inspectors as remediable under the Public Health Acts, but not under the Factory and Workshop Act (s. 5) | Notified by H.M. Inspectors | 37 |
| Reports (of action taken) sent to H.M. Inspectors | 34 | |
| Other | — | |
| Underground Bakehouses (s. 101):— | ||
| Certificate granted during the year | — | |
| In use at the end of the year | 69 | |
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Under modern conditions, child bearing makes great claims upon the mother even under the
most favourable circumstances. Strength and vitality are sacrificed to a large extent, and even at
times life itself. Furthermore, owing mainly to ignorance of the simple rules of health on the part
of young mothers, enormous numbers of crippling defects are found in school children, and the
rate of infantile mortality is still very high.
Loss of maternal and infant life and health must be prevented by every possible means, and
the country has at last realised the utmost importance of adequate provision being made for the
welfare of both mother and child.
Since the passing of the Notification of Births Act, 1907, Health Visitors and voluntary workers
have been engaged in increasing numbers on the systematic supervision of the health of expectant
and nursing mothers, and of babies and little children until they are old enough to attend school
and come automatically under the care of the School Medical Officer. During the same period a
very satisfactory and steady decrease in the rate of infantile mortality has occurred. This decrease
is shown in the Table on page 8, and whilst there are many factors to account for it, not the least
important is the magnificent work carried out by Health Visitors appointed by local authorities
and those voluntary workers who have established and maintained Infant Welfare Centres and
similar institutions.
HEALTH VISITORS.
During the year under review there were four Health Visitors employed by the Council. Each
had an area allotted to her, and her duties were as follows:—
1. To visit the homes of all newly-born children amongst the working classes within
21 days after birth, and subsequently as circumstances indicated.
2. To visit the homes and make investigations in regard to still-births and infantile
deaths.
3. To visit and give advice to parents in cases of ophthalmia, diarrhoea and other
diseases causing deaths amongst infants.
4. To visit and report upon all cases of puerperal fever and tuberculosis in children.
5. To investigate applications under the Council's Scheme for the supply of milk free or
below cost price.