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
Greenwich 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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| During Pregnancy | During labour | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | 5 (0) | Premature labour | 6 (5) |
| Abnormal Presentation | 3 (4) | Ante-partum Haemorrhage | 6 (15) |
| Pyelitis | 2 (2) | Early rupture of membrane | 4 (0) |
| Post-maturity | 2 (0) | Delay in 1st stage | 3 (3) |
| Ante-partum Haemorrhage | 5 (15) | Delay in 2nd stage | 4 (4) |
| Retained placenta | 3 (3) | ||
| Post-partum Haemorrhage | 3 (1) | ||
| Ruptured perineum | 35 (34) | ||
| Foetal distress | 4 (3) | ||
| Maternal distress | 0 (2) | ||
| For mother— | For infant— | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrombo-phlebitis | 1 (7) | Foetal distress in labour | 4 (3) |
| Pyrexia | 4 (1) | No movements in 1st stage | 2 (0) |
| Engorged Breasts | 1 (0) | Asphyxia (severe cyanosis) | 6 (6) |
| Abdominal pain | 2 (0) | Rectal bleeding | 2 (2) |
| Depression | 1 (0) | Jaundiced | 4 (1) |
| High Blood Pressure | 0 (1) | Oral thrush | 2 (0) |
| Haemorrhoids | 0 (2) | Septic spots | 5 (0) |
| Uterine Infection | 2 (2) | Sticky eyes | 2 (3) |
| Chest pains | 0 (1) | Prematurity | 1 (1) |
| Severe head cold | 0 (2) | Vomiting | 2 (2) |
| Sever Coryza | 0 (5) | ||
| Bleeding from cord | 3 (0) | ||
Phenylketonuria—G uthrie Test
Phenylketonuria is one of the few causes of mental retardation
to be successfully isolated and controlled by scientific research.
Its control demands a protein free diet tailored to suit the individual
but early diagnosis is essential.
Development of a reliable blood test (the Guthrie Test) has
enabled an early diagnosis to be made of this condition and during
1969 there were arrangements between the local hospitals and the
Department for all infants whether at home or in hospital to have
this test on the 6th day of life. In the case of domiciliary births
and early discharge cases the Local Authority midwives take the
blood specimens and despatch them to the laboratory.
No cases of Phenylketonuria were detected during the current
year.