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
City of Westminster 1924
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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These rates rose during the war to 5 per cent, in 1915 and 1916; 8.4
per cent, in 1917; 6.1 per cent. in 1918; 5.6 per cent. in 1919; since
when it fell to 2.6 per cent. in 1920 and 1921; and 1.2 per cent,
in 1924.
Dental Clinic.—The dentist, Mr. W. H. Turner, L.D.S., reports:—
"The work of the Dental Clinic has shown a further marked increase
during the past year. It has also been noted that the patients are coming
up with increasing confidence, and that many of the mothers are themselves
making the Clinics existence known and are applying for admission for
other patients.
The following statement gives an indication of the work done under the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme during the last four years.
| 1921. | 1922. | 1923. | 1924. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Sessions | 62 | 69 | 70 | 79 |
| New patients— | ||||
| First attendance | 59 | 121 | 123 | 179 |
| Subsequent attendances | 176 | 463 | 479 | 522 |
| Teeth extractions | 525 | 942 | 1,056 | 1,349 |
| Teeth filled | 72 | 73 | 91 | 154 |
| Other dental operations... | 188 | 232 | 433 | 478 |
| Anaesthetics administered:— | ||||
| Local | 17 | 17 | 20 | 25 |
| General | 81 | 200 | 202 | 240 |
| Dentures supplied | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
"Of the new patients in 1924, 105 were mothers and 74 were children
under 5 years of age. The corresponding figures for 1923 were 73 and 50.
"Patients contributed £19 8s. 0d. in small sums according to their
means.
"In consequence of the increasing number of patients attending,
arrangements were made for additional sessions to be held.
"Details relating to Tuberculous patients who attend on separate
days, are given later in this Report under 'Tuberculosis.' "
Convalescent Homes.—In the Soho area, facilities for convalescent
treatment are provided by the St. Henry Fund, of which the Medical
Officer of Health is ex-officio a trustee. Others were sent away through
various charitable agencies.
Homes.—A grant of £100 was made to the St. John the Baptist Home,
formerly in Westminster, now at Tulse Hill, and £25 to the Westminster
Red Cross Day Nursery.
Supply of Milk.—Grants of milk free or at reduced prices were made
to expectant and nursing mothers and to children. Except in a few
instances ordinary milk was granted, in the others, dried milk. The
amount expended was £70 17s. 9d.