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
Poplar 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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151
When suggesting the change-over from Grade "A" (Tuberculin
Tested) to dried milk, the Committee were reminded that this would
probably entail the necessity of having further clerical assistance to help
in the distribution. This was found necessary at the end of the year and,
with the Council's and Ministry of Health's approval, an additional
clerk commenced duty in the early part of 1928.
During the 12 months ended 31st December, 1927, 11,702 applications
for free milk were received, of which 11,117 were granted. Orders for
294,515 pints of fresh, and 16,896 lbs. of dried milk were issued, the total
commitments amounting to approximately £5,961.
Personal inquiry was made in 598 cases by the Inquiry and Investigation
Officer. Ten cases were reported to the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee as unsatisfactory. The Committee sent letters of
caution in eight cases, and ordered prosecutions in the other two.
Case 1.—Husband fined 20s. and costs 9s. 4d., or 21 days imprisonment,
and wife bound over in the sum of 40s. to come up for
judgment.
Case 2.—Fined 30s. and costs 9s. 4d. or 21 days imprisonment.
The following table shows in comparative form the applications, etc., during the years 1920-27:—
| Year. | Applications. | Applications granted. | Cost (approx) £ | Orders issued. | Cases investigated by I.O. (b). | Unsatisfactory cases. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh. (Pints). | Dried. (Lbs.). | ||||||
| 1920 (a) | ? | 17,095 | ? | 873,585 | 3,454 | — | — |
| 1921 (c) | 23,799 | 18,270 | 14,500 | 782,012 | 1,236 | 1,611 | 107 |
| 1922 | 18,082 | 16,215 | 8,500 | 621,796 | 1,664 | 2,969 | 15 |
| 1923 | 15,537 | 14,086 | 6,600 | 512,614 | 3,230 | 2,974 | 34 |
| 1924 | 14,828 | 13,597 | 6,150 | 487,070 | 4,902 | 2,922 | 14 |
| 1925 | 12,475 | 11,358 | 4,994 | 410,587 | 3,727 | 1,633 | 9 |
| 1926 | 12,928 | 11,905 | 7,249 | 426,762 | 2,917 | 593 | 6 |
| 1927 | 11,702 | 11,117 | 5,961 | 294,515 | 16,896 | 598 | 10 |
Notes.—(a) In 1920, 49 tins of condensed milk were also issued;
(b) the Enquiry and Investigation Officer commenced duty in March,
1921; (c) by Circular 185, dated 31st March, 1921, children between
the ages of 3 and 5 years are only allowed milk upon a special
medical certificate.
By arrangement with the local Dairymen's Association the price of
milk to the Council has been per cent, below the ruling retail price.
The retail prices per pint during the year were:—
1s: April. 4d.; 1st October, 4½d.