London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Holborn 1928

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]

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102
Breast Massage.
The following summary gives particulars of mothers referred for breast
massage in 1928:—
Number referred to Metropolitan Nursing Association 24
Results—
Lactation completely restored 8
Breast secretion re-established, but small bottle feeds
required in addition to breast feeding 6
Massage unsuccessful 10
Diarrhoea.
During the year the cases of diarrhoea occurring in children attending the
Council's Centres were as follows:—
10, John Street. Short's Gardens.
1. Simple diarrhoea 26 cases 3 cases.
2. Ordinary summer diarrhoea none none.
Stillbirths
During 1028 there were 22 stillbirths; of these five occurred in the private
practice of doctors, one in the extern and sixteen in patients confined in institutions.
In the case of these 22 stillbirths one was above the standard for enquiry, and
in three cases no information was obtainable, the mothers (unmarried) having left
the area. Of the remaining 18 stillbirths difficult labour was responsible for ten
of these, of which five were reported due to abnormal presentation; two were due
to craniotomy; placenta praevia occurred in one, abnormality of the foetus in
two, delivery three days after operation for appendicitis, one; prematurity, one;
in five cases no useful information was available.
Illegitimate Children.
The births of 37 illegitimate children were registered; two of these were
above the standard for enquiry; it was found that five of these lived with
both their parents who had a permanent home together; two with their
mothers who worked to support them; four with their mothers who remained
in their parents home; four were boarded out with foster mothers; two
died in early infancy; four were stillborn; fourteen children could not be traced,
the mother often not having stayed at the address given for more than one or two
nights before the birth of the child.
Dental Treatment.
A number of nursing and expectant mothers and young children were treated
at the Council's Dental Clinic held at 10, John Street. The number of new
patients during the year was 60, viz., 27 women and 33 children; the number of
attendances 286 (women 183, children 103).