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
Lewisham 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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9
Notified Births.
Under an Act of 1907, a birth must be notified to the Medical
Officer of Health within 36 hours. The information obtained in
this manner enables the Health Visitor to exercise supervision of the
mother and infant in the early days succeeding the confinement.
During the year notifications were received of 2,992 live births.
| Total number notified | 101 |
| Borough Cases born outside the Borough | 6 |
| Number of Borough Cases enquired into | 97 |
| Borough Cases in which no enquiry could be made | 4 |
Causes of still-birth in the 97 investigated:—
| 1. Maternal Causes:— | ||
| 14 | ||
| (b) Instrumental Labours | 10 | |
| (c) Delayed Labours | 10 | |
| Placenta Praevia | 4 | 7 |
| Accidental Hæmorrhage | 3 | |
| 4 | ||
| (f) Hydramnios | 2 | |
| 2. Fœtal Causes:— | ||
| 15 | ||
| (b) Hydrocephalus | 4 | |
| (c) Spina Bifida | 2 | |
| 2 | ||
| 1 | ||
| (f) Cord Prolapse | 1 | |
| 1 | ||
| 3. Causes not known | 24 | |
Marriages.
The number of marriages registered in the Borough during the
year was 1,766, compared with 1,951 in 1936. Of this number,
891 were solemnised in the Established Church, 239 in Non-conformist
Places of Worship, and 636 at the Register Office.