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

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Hackney 1919

Report on the sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Hackney for the year 1919

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93
diagnosis and treatment. The local midwives frequently send up
cases on account of abnormalities in previous confinements ; and,
in several instances where difficulty was again expected, arrangements
have been made for the mother to enter a hospital for her
confinement. Women occasionally attend for sterility, and in
several suitable cases arrangements have been made for operation.
A greater number come up on account of an impending miscarriage,
some of these have been successfully treated, but unfortunately
the impossibility of complete rest in the case of working women
has in most cases rendered miscarriage unavoidable.
There is much room for the development of the centre. More
teaching for mothers is, perhaps, the greatest need ; many are very
anxious for instruction, and one wonders if the time for waiting on
the ante-natal day could not be utilised for class-teaching in such
respects as the rearing of infants, care of the home, etc. The state
of the teeth of the expectant mother is sometimes deplorable, and
facilities for local dental treatment would be of great benefit to
mothers during the confinement and nursing period, and indirectly,
therefore, to the child.
The general working of the centre is satisfactory. The Health
Visitors are enthusiastic in their work and are always ready to visit
difficult cases frequently. Mrs. Holmes has now for three years
assisted on the consultation day, and her help is much valued.
Altogether, work is carried on with complete harmony among the
workers.
(Sgd.) Elizabeth Wilks, M.D.
2. Brooksbys' Walk.
Infant Welfare.
During the year 523 children have been brought to the centre,
and have subsequently paid 3,354 attendances.
Each child has been weighed and carefully examined and notes
taken of any abnormality present, and the mother advised if any