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 1940
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]
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It is with regret that I have to report the loss due to enemy
action of Miss Lewis who was employed in the Cleansing Station as a
Bathing Attendant.
Laboratory. The examinations undertaken in 1940 in the Council's Laboratory were as follows:-
| Throat & Nose Swabs | 498 |
| Milk Samples | 50 |
| Ice-Cream Samples | 18 |
| Swimming-Bath Waters | 2 |
Treatment Centres and clinics. The following is a summary of clinics, sessions and attendances:-
| Clinics | 1940 | 1939 | 1940 | 1939 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Sessions | Total Attendances | |||
| Foot | 617 | 485 | 2,628 | 2,241 |
| Dental | 189 | 148 | 2,833 | 2,139 |
| Artificial Sunlight & Massage | 506 | 344 | 8,101 | 6,910 |
| Women's | 63 | 65 | 506 | 638 |
| Cleansing Station – open continously – Scabies | 2,323 | 2,415 | ||
| Vermin | 1,342 | 2,007 | ||
Despite a fall in the attendances towards the end of the year due to
enemy activities and black-out conditions, the work generally throughout the
year showed steady growth and it was found necessary to increase the total
number of sessions held in the Foot, Dental, Artificial Sunlight & Massage,
and Women's Clinics by 333 on the number which was held during the previous
year. The total attendances in these clinics showed an increase of 2,140
on the figure for 1939.
Nursing in the Home. The arrangements with the Metropolitan District Nursing
Association to undertake the nursing of cases of illness occurring in expectant
and nursing mothers, and the nursing of children under 5 years of age
suffering from any illness, and of tuberculous patients at home, was continued
throughout the year, the total number of visits being 12,465 (390 cases).
Ambulance Facilities .are provided by the London County Council and the St.
John's Ambulance Brigade.
Hospitals. The principal hospitals used by Finsbury residents are:-
General Hospitals
St. Bartholomew's, E.C.1.
Royal Free Hospital, Gray's Inn Road, W.C.1.
University College Hospital, Gower Street, W.C.1.
Hospital for Sick Children, Gt. Ormond Street, W.C.1.
Special Hospitals
City of London Maternity Hospital, 102, City Road, E.C.1.
Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, City Road, E.C.1.
St. Mark's Hospital for Diseases of the
Rectum, City Road, E.C.1.
The City of London Maternity Hospital was largely destroyed as a
result of enemy action during September 1940, though it was found possible
to continue the use of the Out-Patient Department. No casualties were
suffered by patients or staff, the former having been evacuated to the
Friern Hospital during the heavy bombardments which immediately preceded
the damage.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Midwifery Scheme. Domiciliary Midwifery is under the control of the London