Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
INFANT MORTALITY. There were 23 deaths of infants under one year of age. The causes of deaths were as follows
Pneumonia (all forms) | 3 |
Diarrhoea | 7 |
Congenital debility, premature birth, malformation, etc. | 8 |
Violence | 1 |
Other defined diseases | 4 |
Total | — |
SECTION "B" - GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES
Staff. On the outbreak of the war all the members of the staff were allocated to
assist in A.R.P. Services, and for a few weeks were employed largely in the organisation
of the several services. The Public Health Department continued throughout,
however, to maintain the essential services and by October the Health Services had
returned fully to their pre-war activities. Most of the staff, however, continued to
give a great deal of their time to Civil Defence, in addition to undertaking their
normal, and in some cases, actually increased normal duties.
Dr. C.O.S. Blyth Brooke, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, in October 1939 was
appointed as Medical Officer of Health in succession to Dr. Nicholas D. Dunscombe who
had resigned on appointment elsewhere. The following members of the staff joined
H.M. Forces Mr. G.E. Hawthorn, Mr. A.F. Cowan and Mr, W.C.E. Keutenius. Temporary
appointments were subsequently made to provide service during the absence of these
officers.
Laboratory. The examinations undertaken in 1939 in the Council's Laboratory were as follows : –
Throat & Nose Swabs | 752 |
Milk Samples | 78 |
Ice-cream Samples | 14 |
Swimming-Bath Waters | 4 |
Treatment Centres and Clinics. The following is a summary of clinics, sessions and attendances :-
Clinics | No. of Sessions | Total Attendances |
---|---|---|
Foot | 485 | 2,241 |
Dental | 148 | 2,139 |
Artificial Sunlight & Massage | 344 | 6,910 |
Women's | 65 | 638 |
Cleansing Station – open continuously -Scabies | 2,415 | |
Vermin | 2,007 |
Despite the outbreak of war the first year's work, both of the Dental Clinic and
of the Artificial Sunlight & Massage Clinic has been one of steady growth. In both
Clinics it was necessary to arrange for additional sessions and this necessitated the
appointment of two extra part-time assistants in the Artificial Sunlight & Massage
Clinic. There was also a steady responsel, uninterrupted by the war, to the Women's
Clinic which is undoubtedly fulfilling a widespread want in the borough.
Nursing in the Home. The arrangements with the Metropolitan District Nursing Association
to undertake the nursing of cases of illness occurring in expectant and nursing
mothers, and the nursing of children under 5 years of age suffering from any illness,
and of tuberculous patients at home, was continued throughout the year, the total
number of visits being 16,688 (581 cases).
Ambulance Facilities are provided by the London County council and the St. John's
Ambulance Brigade.