Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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"The additional fortnightly session authorised has been a great boon
in providing a little more time needed for the extension of conservation
work, i.e., fillings, scalings, etc.
"The necessity was becoming more marked as many of the earlier
patients retunred voluntarily for further treatment in order to remain
dentally healthy.
" The following statement gives an indication of the work done under
the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme during the last five years:—
Table XI.
1921. | 1922. | 1923. | 1924. | 1925. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of Sessions New patients— | 62 | 69 | 70 | 79 | 92 |
First attendance | 59 | 121 | 123 | 179 | 205 |
Subsequent attendances | 176 | 463 | 479 | 522 | 613 |
Teeth extractions | 525 | 942 | 1,056 | 1,349 | 1,278 |
Teeth filled | 72 | 73 | 91 | 154 | 167 |
Other dental operations | 188 | 232 | 433 | 478 | 616 |
Anæsthetics administered— Local | 17 | 17 | 20 | 25 | 38 |
General | 81 | 200 | 202 | 240 | 255 |
Dentures supplied | 2 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
"Of the new patients in 1925, 122 were mothers and 83 were children
under 5 years of age. The corresponding figures for 1924 were 105
and 74.
"Patients contributed £21 1s. 0d. in small sums according to their
means."
Convalescent Homes.—There are many charitable agencies throughout
the City which are always ready to answer the call for convalescent
treatment for mothers and children. Among them may be mentioned
the Friends of the Poor and the St. Henry Fund. The Medical Officer
of Health is ex officio a trustee of the latter, the benefits of which are
available only to residents of the parish of St. Anne's, Soho.
Homes for Unmarried Mothers, etc.—The Council make an annual
grant of £100 to the Home of St. John the Baptist at Tulse Hill. This
home was formerly in the City, and cases from Westminster are eligible
for admission. Unmarried mothers are received some months before
confinement, which takes place in the home and they usually remain
with their infants for about six months afterwards. The matron and sisterin-charge
are trained midwives, and the confinements are conducted
under their charge. During their period of residence the women are
trained in various branches of useful service, and so far as possible
employment is found for them on leaving the home. There are two other
homes in the City which exist for a similar purpose.