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
Finsbury 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]
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46
Council reserves beds in St. Margaret's Hospital, Kentish Town,
for the treatment of severe cases.
In addition to the notification of true cases of Ophthalmia
Neonatorum by medical men, midwives have to report cases of
inflammation of the eye, and these are also kept under observation
by the Health Visitors.
Prevention of Blindness—Blind Persons Act, 1920.
The administration of the Blind Persons Act, 1920 is in the
hands of the London County Council. There is one blind child
under 5 years of age known to the Department.
Puerperal Pyrexia and Fever.
Out of 813 Finsbury births (live and still) notified in 1938 there
were 9 cases of Puerperal Pyrexia and 4 cases of Puerperal Fever.
The causes were as follows:—
| Malaria (Induced—Treatment for G.P.I.) | 1 |
| Pyelitis | 4 |
| Uterine Sepsis | 5 |
| Unknown origin | 3 |
The statistics for puerperal fever for previous years are appended:—
| Years. | 1922 -26 | 1927 -31 | 1932 -36 | 1937 | 1938 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notifications | 41 | 28 | 12 | 3 | 4 |
| Deaths | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The cases of puerperal fever and puerperal pyrexia are
investigated by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
Orthopaedic Conditions.
Tuberculosis.—Persons suffering from orthopaedic conditions
due to tuberculosis are seen at the Health Centre and receive treatment
at sanatoria under the scheme for treatment. The great
majority, however, are seen in the first instance at the hospitals in
the vicinity and therefore do not come under the supervision of the
Tuberculosis Officer until later on.