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 1950
[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 32 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 | 3 | ||
| Delusional Insanity | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| Suicidal | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Mental Deficiency | 1 | — | 1 |
| Schizophrenia | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Hallucinated and Depressed | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total | 15 | 17 | 32 |
Of these cases 19 were certified under Section 16, 9 were
placed under observation under Section 20, and 4 were removed
to hospital under an Urgency Order under Section 11. In
addition 68 patients (28 male and 40 female) were admitted
direct to Mental Hospital under Section 1 of the Mental Treatment
Act, 1930, as voluntary patients.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT.
Two cases compelled consideration of the necessity to operate
Section 47 of the National Assistance Act during the year. In
one it was found that the old lady concerned was deluded, and
it was decided that it was more appropriate to take action under
the Lunacy Acts. She was accordingly certified and removed
to Netherne Hospital.
In the other case, an old lady living alone in insanitary
conditions, it was necessary to secure removal to an institution,
and an application was made to the Court for an Order under
Section 47. The Order was obtained and she was admitted to a
Home for Old People under the Welfare Authority arrangements.
SECTION C. — SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Clean Food Campaign. During the week 24th-30th June
a Clean Food Exhibition was held in the Merton Public Hall; the
stands were provided by the Infestation Control Division of the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. In addition to some of
the multiple Food Manufacturing firms several local traders
28