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
Wandsworth 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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The number of first visits made during the year to children under five years of age was :—
| Children born in 1970 | 5,419 |
| Children born in 1969 | 3,992 |
| Children born in 1965-1968 | 9,528 |
| Visits of all kinds paid by health visitors during the year totalled :— | |
| Effective visits | 53,135 |
| Unsuccessful visits | 13,664 |
| Total visits to the elderly | 1.382 |
Premature infants
During 1970 the proportion of premature births was similar to
that of the previous year. Out of a total of 4,975 live births in
Wandsworth in 1970 (compared with 5,231 in 1969) 396 babies
were born prematurely; in addition there were 33 premature stillbirths.
The table below gives details of premature births in Wandsworth during 1970. The figures for 1969 are shown in brackets
| Died under | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | 1 month | Stillbirths | |
| 2 lb. 3 oz. or less | 9 (14) | 8 (14) | 7 (6) |
| Over 2 lb. 3 oz. up to and including 3 lb. 4 oz. | 32 (28) | 8 (7) | 7 (11) |
| Over 3 lb. 4 oz. up to and including 4 lb. 6 oz. | 77 (58) | 4 (4) | 10 (11) |
| Over 4 lb. 6 oz. up to and including 4 lb. 15 oz. | 82 (92) | — 0) | 5 (5) |
| Over 4 lb. 15 oz. up to and including 5 lb. 8 oz. | 196 (226) | 2 (4) | 4 (4) |
| Totals | 396 (418) | 22 (30) | 33 (37) |
Handicap and observation register
This is the fifth consecutive year in which a comprehensive
register of handicapped children and of children at risk of developing
a handicap has been kept in the Health Department and it has
continued to prove its worth. It has helped in the early diagnosis
of defects of structure, growth and development and in the detection
of disease, enabling suitable treatment to be instituted as early
as possible. The aim is to secure the fullest possible rehabilitation
for every child with a disability and to gain the full acceptance of
such persons into the community within the most suitable social
and working environment.