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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]
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HEALTH VISITING: The regular visitation of expectant mothers and children under
5 years was continued by the Health Visitors and during the year a total of
10,294 visits were made by the Council Staff in addition to visits made by the
officers from certain Voluntary Centres in the borough. The following special
cases necessitated frequent visits by the Health Visitors:-
Nature of case No. of cases Results
Prematurity 25 ) Died - 3
Marasmus 5 ) Satisfactory -37
Illegitimacy 18 ) Removed to other
Twins 22 ) areas - 1
Ophthalmia Neonatorum 2 ) Still special at
Frail Infant 1 ) end of year - 32.
VOLUNTARY CENTRES: The Council has continued grants to the undermentioned Voluntary Centres, and a brief outline of the work carried out at these centros is shown below:
| INSTITUTION | No.of CHILD WELFARE CLINICS HELD | No. of ATTENDANCES |
|---|---|---|
| City of London Maternity Hospital | 102 | 244 (Finsbury) |
| Claremont Central Mission | 96 | 607 |
| Maternity Nursing Association. | 100 | 1473 |
NURSERIES: Three day nurseries, with places for 155 children, were in operation in the Borough throughout the year. The following table shows the average daily attendances:
| JAN. | FEB. | MAR. | APL. | MAY. | JUN. | JUL. | AUG. | SEP. | OCT. | NOV. | DEC. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Square | 22 | 18 | 20 | 26 | 34 | 33 | 34 | 31 | 32 | 34 | 39 | 38 |
| Lloyd Square | 59 | 51 | 50 | 43 | 53 | 60 | 53 | 51 | 57 | 60 | 60 | 56 |
| Banner Street | 46 | 43 | 46 | 48 | 41 | 35 | 37 | 41 | 44 | 44 | 38 | 33 |
| Total | 127 | 112 | 116 | 117 | 128 | 128 | 124 | 123 | 133 | 138 | 137 | 127 |
HOME NURSING: The arrangements with the Metropolitan District Nursing Assn:
to undertake the nursing of cases of illness occurring in expectant and nursing
mothers and the nursing of children under five years of age suffering from any
illness at home, was continued throughout the year.
NATIONAL MILK AND VITAMINS SCHEME: The Municipal and Voluntary Centres
continued to operate as distributing points for vitamin products and national
dried milk. 2,731 bottles of Cod Liver Oil, 10,477 bottles of orange juice
and 325 Cod Liver Oil Capsules wore issued during the year, through the two
Municipal Centres.
CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS: In accordance with recommendations contained in
Ministry of Health Circular 20/44. (a) a space is provided on the Birth
Notification forms for recording the weight of babies of 5½lbs or less;
(b) a supply of equipment is kept in stock for premature infants nursed at home;
(c) a panel of Home Helps is available and (d) the Health Visitors regard
premature births as 'Special cases' necessitating more frequent visiting. During
the year 32 births were notified where the birth weight was 5½ lbs.or less; of
these 20 were nursed entirely at home and survived at the end of one month.