Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Report on the health of the Borough of Bethnal Green during the year 1922
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58 cases attended to ascertain if they were pregnant,
and of these—
24 were not pregnant.
24 had full-time confinements.
4 were still pregnant (March 4th, 1923).
2 left the Borough.
3 miscarried at the fifth month.
1 could not be traced.
Wassermann reaction for syphilis :—
Number of blood tested 34
Number positive 2
Number negative 32
Dr. Norah Pinkerton, the Medical Officer in
charge, reports : —
" A great deal of the work done was educational.
Practically all the expectant mothers required some
form of dental treatment, and very many acted on
the advice given.
" Patients suffering from varicose veins were
supplied with crepe bandages at cost price and instructed
not to wear elastic or even string garters.
Advice was given as to suitable clothing to be worn
during pregnancy, more especially in the case of
primigravidæ.
" A very necessary supervision was exercised over
the choice of aperients, since it was found that many
patients were relying on the regular use of such drastic
ones as castor oil.
" The number of patients sent up by midwives
showed an increase on last year's number, and a pleas ing
feature was the number recommended by other
mothers, showing that the necessity for ante-natal
care is being realised by the mothers themselves.
" One case of contracted pelvis was sent to hospital
and was admitted, and several cases of cardiac
incompetence were kept under observation. One