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
Merton and Morden 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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MENTAL DISEASE.
Cases dealt with under the Lunacy Acts, 1890, in the district of
Merton and Morden.
There were 26 cases certified under these Acts during the
year.
Below is given the provisional classification according to the condition on admission.
| Male | Female | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senile Dementia | 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Delusional Insanity | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Suicidal | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Epilepsy | 1 | — | 1 |
| Mental Deficiency | 1 | 1 | |
| Schizophrenia | 1 | — | 1 |
| Hallucinated and Depressed | 1 | — | 1 |
| Under Sec. 1, Mental Treatment Act, 1930 | 11 | 15 | 26 |
| 22 | 30 | 52 |
Of these cases 16 were certified under Section 16, 6 were
placed under observation under Section 20, and 4 were removed
to hospital under an Urgency Order under Section 11. In
addition 67 patients (22 male and 45 female) were admitted
direct to Mental Hospital under Section 1 of the Mental Treatment
Act, 1930, as voluntary patients.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948.
Two cases came under consideration with regard to the
necessity of operating Section 47 of the National Assistance
Act to secure their compulsory removal to an Institution.
The first case was an old lady living alone, who could not
be persuaded to enter a Home voluntarily. Representations
had been made over a considerable period by a relative that she
ought to be removed. Eventually, towards the end of 1949
the situation had deteriorated to such an extent that it appeared
that removal in her own interest was essential. Accordingly the
Council was recommended to take the necessary action and a
resolution was passed to take the necessary legal steps. It so
happened, however, that while this was going on the old lady
had an accident at home and was taken to hospital. It was
then decided to take steps to secure that she did not return to
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