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

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Bermondsey 1921

Report on the sanitary condition of the Borough of Bermondsey for the year 1921

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results to the child; the majority do not associate their dental caries
with the onset of pregnancy, but very few use a tooth brush, and
nearly all live on soft food, and take their fluids "as hot as they can
bear it."
124 Mothers Examined.
3 still births—2 per cent.
6 venereal disease.
3 slight albuminuria.
3 ante partum hæmorrhage.
22 severe varicose veins.
18 history of rheumatic fever with heart murmurs and some
myocardial defects.
Sewing Classes have been held once weekly at the Town Hall,
98, Rotherhithe New Road and Oxley Street. Much health educational
work is done by this means, apart from the actual teaching of
sewing, knitting, cutting out, and making over garments.
Voluntary Centres. There are four Voluntary Infant Welfare
Centres in the Borough, and one in connection with Guy's Hospital
(Salomon's Centre).
Central Hall has two weekly sessions with 521 members in regular
attendance. This Centre attracts mothers who have never before
attended an Infant Welfare Centre, and copes with large and ever-
increasing numbers from some of the most overcrowded areas.
St. George's Hall has one weekly session with 205 members, and
a sewing class which is attended by 15 or 20 mothers each week.
The women are taught to cut down old as well as to make up new
garments—a very valuable form of economy. The doctor also gives
much-needed "talks" once a fortnight.
Princess Club has three weekly sessions for infants; an ante-natal
clinic weekly and a Toddlers' Clinic once a fortnight, as well as two
well-attended sewing classes at which an L.C.C. teacher gives instruction.
This centre serves a wide area, chiefly among the betterhoused
mothers, who need, and can apply, the advice given. This
is so often impossible in a crowded slum area.