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
St Pancras 1907
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, London, Borough of]
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hesitate to characterise as the best of its kind. This institution costs the
Borough Council nothing; it educates expectant mothers, guides nursing
mothers, assists both mothers and infants, and prevents them from falling now
or later into illhealth, pauperism, and upon the poor-rate.
All this work is essentially work for women and not for men.
The Local Government Board approved of the adoption of the Notification
of Births Act, and ordered it to come into operation on and after the 9th
March, 1908.
Action taken during the Year 1907.
During the year the action taken with regard to the prevention of the mortality of suckling infants is summarised as follows:—
| W. | S. | E. | N. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Births registered (majority within 2 months) | 1435 | 963 | 1626 | 1460 | 5484 |
| Births on Midwives Lists (within 2 weeks) | 294 | 175 | 177 | 429 | 1075 |
Of the total births registered, the illegitimate numbered 247, about 4.5 per cent.
| " Not known " | 100 | ||
| " Removed " | 105 | ||
| " Found correct" | 1855 | ||
| Total | 2060 | ||
| Total number | 2934 | ||
| Inquiries made | 1855 | ||
| Additional visits | l079 | ||
The mother of every one of the 5484 infants born also received a card of
advice, setting out the best method of promoting breast feeding.
The medical practitioners, midwives, and nurses practising in St. Pancras,
have been diffusing similar instruction.
The St. Pancras Scheme for the reduction of Infantile Mortality and
sickness is as follows
A.—MUNICIPAL.
Centre.—Public Health Department, Town Hall, Pancras Road, N. W.
1. The notification of births.
2. Sending Cards of "Advice to Mothers " to the addresses furnished by
the notification of births.