London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Stoke Newington 1934

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stoke Newington, The Metropolitan Borough]

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3. To visit and give the necessary advice to parents in
cases of ophthalmia neonatorum, zymotic enteritis, whooping
cough, measles, and other diseases causing deaths amongst infants.
4. To visit and make reports on all cases of puerperal fever
and puerperal pyrexia.
5. To investigate all applications for the supply of milk
free or below cost price.
6. To supervise foster mothers and foster children.
The following statement gives an outline of the very important
work carried out by the Health Visitors during the year

Visits Paid by the Three Health Visitors :— To expectant mothers :—

(1) First Visits : 160(2) Total Visits347
To infants under 1 :—
(1) First Visits : 841(2) Total Visits2,747
To children 1-5 :—
(1) First Visits : 194(2) Total Visits3,300

Thus a total of 6,394 visits has to be recorded for the year
1934, as compared with 5,622 visits the previous year, and is the
highest figure yet attained in any year. This figure is a most
satisfactory one and when considered in conjunction with the total
figure for attendances at the centres which follows it will be
seen that an all round increase in the work is being effected.
These gratifying results are mainly due to the energy and
efficiency of the staff of Health Visitors.
Attendances at the Infant Welfare Sessions.—During
the year there has been a decided increase in the number and
regularity of attendances. The total of 16,358 attendances of
children under five compares very favourably with that of the
previous year (15,137), and is the highest figure of attendances
that has been recorded.
As required by the Notification of Births Act, 1907,-the Medical
Officer of Health must be notified of Births within 36 hours after
the birth has taken place. The information thus supplied is very