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 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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Home Help Service.
The Home Help Service was extended so as to be available, in cases in which
it is desirable on medical grounds that such service should be available, prior to
confinement.
Maternity Services by Voluntary Hospitals.
During the year the Council increased the grants paid to voluntary hospitals
providing maternity services for residents of the Borough from £1 to £2 per case
confined in hospital, and from 5s. 0d. to 10s. 0d. per case attended at home.
Appointment of Obstetrical Consultant.
In June, 1937, Dr. W. J. H. M. Beattie was appointed by the Council as
Obstetrical Consultant, and also as Consultant for the purposes of the Puerperal
Pyrexia and Puerperal Fever Regulations (1925/28). The latter appointment
was made to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dr. John Barris.
It was not found necessary to call upon the services of the Consultant during
the year.
Provision of Meals for Necessitous Expectant and Nursing Mothers.
In July, 1937, the Council approved arrangements for the provision of meals
for necessitous expectant and nursing mothers.
The number of meals provided in the remainder of the year was as follows:—
| No. of Mothers. | No. of Meals. | |
|---|---|---|
| Part Cost. | Free. | |
| 2 | 47 | |
Infantile Mortality.
The rate this year was 79 per thousand corrected live births, as compared
with 60 last year. The actual number of infants were 22 and 18 respectively.
Examination of the records shews that in eight cases prematurity was a direct
or contributory cause of death. In some of these cases the fact that the mother
continues to go to work until late pregnancy is an element in the causation
Four of the infants were illegitimate; and it is found that the death rate is
higher in this class than among legitimate children; this year it was 100 per
1,000 as compared with 75 per 1,000. In two cases death was due to complications
associated with influenza, and two to whooping cough followed by
bronchopneumonia. Both these conditions are particularly liable to be fatal in
babies. In one other case the baby suffered from pyloric stenosis; and died in
spite of a surgical operation. In another case the baby was dead when found,
by the police, abandoned in the street.
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