London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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St Pancras 1938

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]

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103
Somers Town Centre, Chamberlain House, Ossulston Street, N.W.I.
In addition to the consultations provided by the Borough Council, the Health Visiting
Staff had 685 interviews with parents, and the Voluntary Committee arranged for knitting,
&c., classes during the winter months, at which 149 attendances were recorded. 38 mothers
and 46 children were sent away on holiday for a period of two or more weeks, and in
addition many children benefitted by convalescent treatment at " Avalon. " 709 massage
treatments were given at 92 clinics by a trained voluntary masseuse. Many children are
sent to the Council's Dental Clinic at Barnes House, which has proved very helpful. The
clothing stall was kept well equipped by voluntary knitters. The usual stock of woollen
garments was maintained, and served as a valuable educational agent, as well as being a great
convenience to the mothers.
South Highgate Centre, 43, Raydon Street, N.19.
361 attendances of mothers were recorded at needlework classes. 23 mothers and
24 children were sent away on holiday, either to the country or seaside, for a period of
two weeks.
Artificial Light Treatment.
The clinic maintained by the Borough Council at this Centre for the provision of this
form of treatment was in regular use throughout the year, except for the period 25th June to
17th October.
The consultations, which were held on Mondays and Thursdays in each week,
numbered 70, the average number of attendances at each consultation being 17.
This clinic was opened in February, 1925. The patients are selected by the Medical
Officers of the various Welfare Centres, from children who are in attendance under their care.
Medical practitioners can also recommend suitable St. Pancras cases. The treatment is free,
the cost being defrayed by the Borough Council.
Staff.—The Medical Officer carrying out the treatment is the Council's Deputy
Medical Officer of Health, Dr. P. V. Pritchard. The Superintendent of the Centre is Miss E. M.
Robinson, who is assisted at the consultations by a Health Visitor from another Centre.
Lamps, etc.—Three in number : 1 Westminster Single Arc Lamp, and 2 Alpine Sun Four
Arc Lamps. The current is direct, and voltaare at main 220.

Cases treated.—Particulars with reference to the cases treated during 1938 are given in the following table :—

1938.1937.
Total number of cases treated6244
Total number of new cases4146
Total number of attendances11711095
Number of Consultations held7069
Average attendance per Consultation1716
Average number of attendances per child18.8824.9

In addition to the Clinic provided by the Borough Council, Artificial Light Treatment
is available at the Institute of Ray Therapy, Camden Road, and also at the Voluntary
General Hospitals in the Borough.