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8 Report of the Medical Officer of Health for 1942.
590 patients received institutional treatment. 3,462
attendances were made for light and other special treatment
and 1,043 X-ray examinations were made. The number of
personal consultations with doctors was 1,170. Home visits
made by the Tuberculosis Officers totalled 1,020, and the
Health Visitors made 4,841 visits.
Artificial pneumo-thorax treatment has been carried out
at several hospitals by arrangement. 170 cases were treated
and 2,780 refills were administered.
14 patients received dental treatment.
Extra nourishment as authorised by Section 219 of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936, has been granted to 85
patients, and 64 cases who were ineligible under the scheme
received extra nourishment through the Public Assistance
Committee.
The Tuberculosis Care Committee meets on the first
Friday in every month, and consists of members of the
Borough Council and representatives of other bodies interested
in the welfare of persons suffering from tuberculosis.
During the year the Secretary of the Committee visited
or interviewed 2,415 patients.
The Committee controls a Fund maintained by voluntary
contributions to assist patients who are ineligible for assistance
from other organisations. An amount of £120 5s. 6d.
was expended out of this Fund during the year.
A Handicraft Class is also in operation, and this meets on
Monday afternoons from 2.30 to 4.30.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Of the 4,002 births which occurred during the year,
3,439 or 85.93 per cent were visited by the Health Visitors.
The total number of visits made by these officers for all purposes
was 39,987. In addition they attended at Clinics on
2,620 occasions.
There are 10 Infant Welfare Centres and nine Ante-natal
Clinics in operation in the Borough. The number of attendances
made by women at these Clinics was 46,578 and 5,948
respectively.
A Dental Clinic is held at the Municipal Buildings for
expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years
of age. Patients attending the Clinic are required to pay