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
Hampstead 1925
Report for the year 1925 of the Medical Officer of Health
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The following table gives a record of the work of the Health Visitors in 1925:—
| Number of first visits to expectant mothers | 155 | |
| „ re-visits „ „ | 162 | |
| „ infants under one year visited for the first time | 821 | |
| „ re-visits to infants under one year | 1450 | |
| ,, visits to children over one year | 2859 | |
| ,, visits re deaths of infants under two years of age | 47 | |
| „ „ infectious disease | 870 | |
| „ attendances at Borough Council's Pre-Maternity Clinics | 154 | |
| „ „ „ ,, Dental Clinic | 55 | |
| „ „ Council of Social Welfare Infant Welfare Centres | 297 | |
| ,, complaints investigated | 18 | |
| ,, applicants for assistance visited | 126 | |
| „ unclassified visits | 158 | |
| Total | 7172 | |
Of these 430 births: —
16.5 per cent, occurred in 1-roomed tenements.
32.6 „ „ 2 „
33.2 „ „ 3 „
These statistics can be compared with those ascertained in 1905.
In that year, under the direction of your late Medical Officer of Health
Dr. Herbert Littlejohn, the visitation of births was carried out in
Hampstead bv the Lady Sanitary Inspector, Mrs. T. Fisher. At that
time it was the practice in every case, except where a very recent
inspection had been made, to inspect the sanitary condition of the
premises. It has not been deemed advisable to continue this practice,
and the Health Visitors now confine their attention to the home and its
inmates. Should, however, any complaint be made of insanitary
matters, they arc reported for the attention of the district sanitary
inspectors.
An analysis of the home conditions as found to exist in 1905,
where births were visited showed that:—
12.3 per cent. occurred in 1-roomed tenements.
46.3 „ „ 2 „
26.0 „ „ 3 „
It will be noted that these figures indicate an increase in the
number of one-roomed homes in which births took place.