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
Kensington 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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71
PART II.
The Work of the Centre
by JANET K. AITKEN, M.D., M.R.C.P.,
In the ten vears 1927-37 during which the centre has been in existence, 2,448 cases of rheumatism or
potential rheumatism have been supervised. Although the centre was primarily established to deal with cases
from Kensington, it has been the custom to accept cases from other boroughs whenever advice was required.
| 1932-33 | 1933-34 | 1934-35 | 1935-36 | 1936-37 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington | 290 | 311 | 296 | 285 | |
| Hammersmith | 51 | 45 | 39 | 37 | 36 |
| Other boroughs | 20 | 35 | 40 | 45 | 50 |
| 361 | 391 | 375 | 367 | 374 |
During the year 1936-37, 48 sessions have been held at the Princess Louise hospital.
| Average attendance per session of Kensington patients | 19.2 |
| „ „ „ „ other „ | 6.9 |
| 26.1 |
The total number of attendances of patients was :—
| Kensington Notified cases | (a) | New | |
| Old | 301 | ||
| Unnotified cases | (a) | New | 64 |
| Old | 531 | ||
| Hammersmith | (a) | New | 17 |
| (b) | Old | 140 | |
| Paddington | (a) | New | |
| Old | 31 | ||
| Acton | (a) | New | |
| Old | |||
| Other boroughs | (a) | New | 3 |
| Old | 25 | ||
| l,256 |
The new Kensington cases were recommended to attend the clinic from the following sources:—
| Invalid Children's Aid Association | 4 |
| School medical officers | 23 |
| Princess Louise hospital | 13 |
| Private doctors | 15 |
| Home visiting after notification | |
| Parents | |
| Infant welfare centres | 9 |
| Tuberculosis dispensary | 6 |
| 92 |
The disposal of cases which attended the centre and which needed special treatment may be summarised as follows:—
| Tonsillectomy at Princess Louise hospital | 6 |
| ,, other hospitals | 3 |
| Admission to Princess Louise hospital | 31 |
| Special schools ' | 3 |
| Convalescent homes | 27 |
| Referred to massage department for special chest expansion exercises | 4 |
| 74 |
Clinical Report.
It has been stated that the rheumatic child is one who has a taste for acid foods, particularly vinegar, and
it has been demonstrated that Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is reduced in the rheumatoid and juvenile types of
rheumatism. It was decided therefore, before trying in any way to amplify or modify the usual food intake
of these children, to investigate the diets of some of those attending the clinic. A questionnaire was drawn up,
and Mrs. Jacobson and Miss Kahn, honorary social workers at the clinic, undertook to interview the children.
Ninety children were chosen at randon (35 boys and 55 girls), the choice depending on whether the investigator
had time to put her questions to the children, and mothers time to wait while the children were questioned. All
suffered from juvenile rheumatism or were potential rheumatics suffering from pains suggestive of early rheumatism.
The mothers were not present at the interview, as it was thought that their ideas as to what a child should have
might colour the replies given. Plenty of time was taken, so that the child might be at ease, and reply naturally
and truthfully.