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 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Holborn Borough]
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The total number of attendances made by the Health Visitors at both
Centres during the year was 656.
Ante-Natal Hygiene.
Under the scheme for the voluntary notification of pregnancy, 38 notifications
were received during 1946, as compared with 31 in 1945. All these expectant
mothers, as well as those already known to the Health Visitors through
other sources, were visited in their homes.
Instruction in Mothercraft and Hygiene.
For some years, both in the home and in the Centres, use has been made
of leaflets written in non-technical language dealing with the hygiene of infancy
and maternity.
Dental Treatment.
The following is a summary of the work during 1946 at the Council's Dental Clinic, 10, John Street, W.C.1, open on Monday afternoons for nursing or expectant mothers, and children under 5 years of age.
| Women. | Children. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of sessions held | — | — | 49 |
| Number of new patients | 38 | 29 | 67 |
| Total attendances | 164 | 63 | 227 |
Emergency Obstetric Unit.
A service is available, under an arrangement with the University College
Hospital, for possible emergencies in connection with confinements taking place
in the Borough where a blood transfusion is required. During the year this
service was used twice, once in the case of miscarriage, and once in the case
of a difficult confinement subsequently requiring admission of the mother to
hospital for operation.
Foot Clinic.
The Council has an arrangement with a Chiropodist for foot treatment for
expectant and nursing mothers, and mothers of children under 5 years of age,
who are referred for such treatment by the Medical Officers of the Infant Welfare
Centres.
Child Life Protection.
On the 1st January, 1947, there was one foster mother on the register.
No foster mothers were registered during the year.
Child Guidance Clinic.
At the end of 1945 a Child Guidance Clinic was set up in the Borough
under Section 251 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936. The Clinic is