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

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Mitcham 1944

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Mitcham]

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20
Health Visiting
There are five health visitors employed in visiting the
mothers and children in this district. The Superintendent Health
Visitor is responsible for the general supervision of the welfare
centres, ante-natal clinics, etc., and also acts as Infant Life Protection
Visitor.
Louse Infestation.
Special attention has been given by the health visitors to
the inspection of children under five for infestation with lice.
Few cases of heavy infestation have been reported, and in all
cases lethane hair dressing has been supplied and has given very
satisfactory results. Owing to the difficulty mothers have
encountered in obtaining suitable combs, a number were bought
and lent to the mothers. Infestation is usually present in several
members of the household, and the desirability of both school
children and pre-school children and adults being under one
authority is obvious. Some of the more serious cases of infestation
in children under five years were found at the day nurseries
where children's heads are examined as a routine measure each
day on admission.

Attendances at Infant Welfare Centres, 1944

ParticularsPark EoadSt. BarnabasChurch RoadSherwood HouseTotal
Number of new cases registered during year of—
Children under one year of age142222213189766
Children over one year and under five years of age2018222282
Number of children in attend
ance at end of year— Under one year of age12698189162575
Over one and under five years of age1973152843061102
Attendances of children under one year of age16962620221221678695
Attendances of children over one year of age5176296226732441
Total attendances at centres221332492834284011136
Average attendances at centres46.163.754.654.554.7
Percentage of infants under one year of age attending centres of the total live births............78