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
Penge 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Penge]
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9
BABY COMPETITION.
A successful baby competition was held in January, when
154 babies were entered, and 119 were actually presented by
their mothers in the judging rooms.
Owing to the large number of competitors it was decided
that there should be six classes; that a first and
second prize should be given in each class, and a special
prize for the healthiest and best developed baby born and
reared in Penge and under the age of two years on the 31st
December, 1912.
The classes were as follows:—
| No. of competitors. | |
|---|---|
| Class 1. Under 4 months | 23 |
| Class 2. Between 4 and 8 months | 27 |
| Class 3. Between 8 and 12 months | 27 |
| Class 4. Between 12 and 18 months | 20 |
| Class 5. Between 18 and 24 months | 10 |
| Class 6. Twins (6 pairs) | 12 |
| Total | 119 |
Dr. Eric Pritchard kindly consented to act as Judge
and Dr. Codd, the Medical Officer of Health for the Borough
of Bromley, kindly acted with me in the preliminary judging,
after which 49 competitors were left for Dr. Pritchard to
make a final selection from.
After the prizes had been awarded, Dr. Pritchard said
that the selection of the prize-winners had proved a very
difficult task because so many of the competitors were first
rate specimens of babyhood, and that there was a high
standard of excellence all round.
A guarantee fund was provided, chiefly by members of
the Council, to meet the expenses of the prizes, etc.
I cannot help thinking that the competition had a
direct beneficial and stimulating influence upon those im-