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
Islington 1946
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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10
were given by the Visitors to mothers of illegitimate children. The Special Visitors
are available every Thursday evening at the Town Hall from 5.7 p.m. and this evening
session has proved very helpful to mothers at work. Many personal problems are
dealt with and advice is given. One particular difficulty which has been encountered
too often is that of getting the father of an illegitimate child to take adequate financial
or other responsibility.
This work is carried on in co-operation with moral welfare workers, hospital
almoners, welfare centres, and other social agencies. Supervision and following
up of these children is often rendered difficult by the frequent changes made,
sometimes without notice, in the arrangements for the care of an illegitimate child.
In accordance with the recommendations of the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing
Joint Committee the Islington Borough Council contributed £212 for 1946 for
moral welfare work in connection with illegitimate children.
| Total Cases Dealt with | Adopted | Admitted to Institutions | Died | Fostered | Number on Register at end of year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 334 | 18 | 18 | 6 | 16 | 185 |
| Before Birth | 0-2 mths. | 2-6 mths. | 6 mths to 1 year | 1-2 years | 2-3 years | 3-4 years | 4-5 years | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant with mother— | |||||||||
| (a) in grandmother's home | 10 | 33 | 19 | 19 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 100 |
| (b) in institution | 1 | 43 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | — | 55 |
| (c) living alone | 6 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 24 |
| Infant with mother and father | — | 12 | 2 | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 22 |
| Infant with relatives (without mother) | — | — | — | — | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Infant with foster-parents | — | 4 | 2 | 3 | 5 | — | — | 14 | |
| Infant with adopting parents | — | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | 8 |
| Infant temporarily in residential institution— | |||||||||
| (a) Social Welfare | — | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 |
| (b) Other | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Other arrangements | — | 7 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 10 |
| Total | 17 | 112 | 29 | 26 | 32 | 16 | 7 | 3 | 242 |
| Attending Day Nursery | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | 1 | 8 |
| With Daily Guardian | — | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 |