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
Chelsea 1923
Annual report for 1923 of the Medical Officer of Health
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Pregnancy and Parturition.
Only 2 deaths occurred in Chelsea in 1923 —one from heart disease,
and one from tubal abortion. In 1922, there were 10 deaths from the
diseases and accidents of pregnancy and parturition.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
Five cases of this disease were notified in Chelsea in 1923, as against
4 in 1922.
Three cases were attended by District Nurses, 58 visits being paid
to the homes, which gives an average of 18 visits per case, as against
10 in 1922. Of the total five cases, all made a good recovery.
In London, 764 cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum were notified in
1923, as against 875 in 1922, and 1,080 in 1921.
Nurses' Visits.
The District Nurses paid 1,567 visits to the homes of expectant and nursing mothers and children under 5 years of age, during 1923, to attend to conditions as under:—
| Visits. | Cases. | |
|---|---|---|
| Measles | 48 | 5 |
| Miscarriages, etc. | 252 | 12 |
| Breasts | 115 | 4 |
| Bronchitis | 30 | 8 |
| Pneumonia | 261 | 15 |
| Ophthalmia Neonatorum | 53 | 3 |
| Tonsils and Adenoids | 47 | 13 |
| Eye troubles | 160 | 8 |
| Ear troubles | 78 | 4 |
| Worms | 109 | 14 |
| Septic sores | 221 | 18 |
| Burns | 68 | 6 |
| Circumcision | 48 | 7 |
| Other conditions | 77 | 15 |
| 1567 | 132 |
The corresponding figures for 1922 were 1,865 visits to 157 cases.
Venereal Diseases.
Eleven specimens of blood were sent to the Lister Institute in 1928
by medical practitioners for the Wassermann (Syphilis) reaction. All
these specimens proved negative. Six of the specimens were sent by
the Medical Officer of the Ante-natal Clinic, and 5 specimens by two
private practitioners. Three specimens of vaginal discharge were
examined for gonococci, one being positive and two negative. All three
were sent from the Ante-natal Clinic.
Accommodation is now provided by the Metropolitan Asylums Board
for the treatment of parturient women suffering from Venereal Diseases
by arrangement with the Guardians of the City of London at the Thavies
Inn Infirmary, Robin Hood Court, High Holborn, E.C. 1. There are
20 beds for mothers and infants, and there is an outdoor clinic for patients
after discharge. Patients are admitted not earlier than the seventh
month of pregnancy.