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
Holborn 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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| 10, John Street, Holborn. | Short's Gardens, St. Giles. | |
|---|---|---|
| No. of women attending ante-natal clinics | 73 | 11 |
| Women expectant for the first time | 13 | 5 |
| No. of attendances made | 162 | 26 |
| Defects found specially connected with pregnancy:— | ||
| Deformed pelvis | 6 | — |
| Threatened miscarriage | — | |
| Retroverted gravid uterus | 2 | — |
| Breech presentation | 2 | — |
| Excessive vomiting | 5 | — |
| Œdema | 6 | — |
| Varicose veins | 15 | 1 |
| Excessive vaginal discharge | 9 | — |
| High blood pressure | 2 | — |
| Other defects | 10 | — |
| Other defects:— | ||
| Albuminuria | 2 | — |
| Heart disease | 4 | — |
| Anaemia | 3 | — |
| Respiratory diseases | 7 | — |
| Constipation | 26 | 2 |
| Dental caries | 20 | 2 |
| Dyspepsia | 16 | 1 |
| Pyorrhœa | 2 | — |
| Rheumatism | — | |
| Other defects | 7 | — |
| No. referred to maternity hospitals:— | ||
| Normal | 13 | 4 |
| Abnormal | 14 | — |
| No. referred to dental clinic | 15 | 2 |
| No. of urine tests made | 111 | 5 |
Post-natal Consultations.
Twenty-nine mothers attended the post-natal consultations at the Centre,
10, John Street, 12 of whom had attended the Centre as ante-natal cases. They
made 74 attendances in all.
The chief defects found were three cases of retroverted uterus (one referred
to hospital); eight of cervicitis (all treated at the centre); three cases of anaemia;
one case of metritis (referred to hospital); one case of laceration of the cervix
(referred to hospital); one of subinvolution of the uterus; one cystocele and
rectocele (referred to private doctor).
Instruction in Mothercraft and Hygiene.
For some years, both in the home and in the Centres, we have made use of
leaflets written in non-technical language dealing with the hygiene of infancy and
maternity and have hung the walls of the Centres with pictures and mottoes to
give point to our teaching and to draw attention to the series of leaflets.
Propaganda posters are pasted on the outer walls at the Centres. There is
also a glass-fronted case for the display of a special poster; this poster is changed
frequently.