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
Leyton 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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121
Twenty-four per cent of expectant mothers attended of their
own accord or on the advice of a friend or relative. Sixty-two
per cent were sent by their midwives and 3 cases were advised to
attend by their own doctors.
The number of home visits made by Health Visitors to expectant
mothers during the year was 113.
The results of all the cases examined are tabulated below.
| Number. | Percentage of Finished Cases. | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal (1 child died) | 355 | 88.08 |
| Prematurity (5 infants and 1 mother died) | 13 | 3.22 |
| Stillborn | 9 | 2.23 |
| Instrumental delivery (1 child died) | 6 | 1.48 |
| Breech presentation | 6 | 1.48 |
| Miscarriage | 6 | 1.48 |
| Twins | 3 | 0.74 |
| Caesarean section | 2 | 0.49 |
| Surgical abortion | 1 | 0.24 |
| Induction | 1 | 0.24 |
| Placenta prævia | 1 | 0.24 |
Total 403
Not pregnant 21
Removed 19
Grand total 443
Analysis of Abnormal Cases.
(report by Dr. Menzies).
(a) Prematurity (13 cases).
Of the thirteen cases of premature birth, eleven occurred in multipara,
and two in primigravidæ. In the case of the two primigravidæ, the
pregnancies termined at 6½ and 7 months respectively and the babies lived
only a few hours. One case was particularly tragic, as the mother lost her
life also. She was a woman of 24 years with 1½ inches shortening of the
right leg and resultant tilting of the pelvis from an uncorrected pes cavus