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 1924
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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The extent of the distribution of milk in 1924 is shown in the following figures
| Pints of Milk Granted Free. | Pints of Milk Granted Half-price. | Cost to Council. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1924. | £ | s. | d. | ||
| January | 8167 | 790 | 142 | 14 | 0 |
| February | 8826 | 838 | 154 | 1 | 8 |
| March | 9057 | 710 | 136 | 13 | 3 |
| April | 7399 | 716 | 96 | 19 | 3 |
| May | 7177 | 628 | 93 | 12 | 9 |
| June | 6719 | 626 | 87 | 18 | 0 |
| July | 6133 | 828 | 81 | 16 | 9 |
| August | 6542 | 588 | 85 | 9 | 0 |
| September | 6202 | 776 | 82 | 7 | 6 |
| October | 6981 | 576 | 106 | 0 | 1 |
| November | 6739 | 924 | 105 | 0 | 3½ |
| December | 7203 | 944 | 111 | 18 | 6½ |
| Total | 87145 | 8944 | 1284 | 11 | 1 |
At the end of 1923 there were 205 families in receipt of milk through the Council's
scheme. 359 new families were added to the list of recipients during 1924, and at the end
of 1924 there were 191 families in receipt of milk. As will be seen from the table above,
there were supplied in 1924, 87,145 pints of milk free and 8,944 pints at half-price, at a
cost to the Council of £1,284 11s. 1d., half of which sum is repayable by the Ministry of
Health. This figure does not include the cost of administration. Cases arc investigated by
Mr. H. G. West, if there is any doubt as to the circumstances of the family.
Dinners for Necessitous Expectant Mothers.—This work is organised by a
voluntary committee, the Borough Council making an annual grant of £50. The dinners are
provided at a restaurant in Prince of Wales Crescent, Kentish Town, a special room being
set apart for the purpose. The mothers are recommended by the staff of the various welfare
centres.
The Mayoress of St. Pancras Home for Sick Poor Children.—This is situated
at "Avalon," 1, St. Alban's Road, and accommodates 18 children. The Borough Council
makes an annual grant of £500.
Many alterations and improvements were made during the year. The premises were
redecorated, additional sanitary accommodation was provided, and an external staircase for use
in case of fire was erected. In order to carry out this work the house was closed from
February 27th to July 1st.
Advantage was taken of this opportunity to reorganise the staff—a new matron,
Miss Carruthers, with the necessary assistants, being appointed.
The cases admitted are children under 5 years of age who are either convalescent after
illness, or who are weakly, badly nourished, and need good food and special care. At the
beginning of the year 14 children were in residence. During the year 102 were admitted,
and 15 were in residence at the end of the year. 101 were discharge 1 during the year, after
an average stay in the Home of 25¾ days. Of the 101 cases discharged, 44 were in good
health and 48 were much improved; 9 showed no marked improvement; but 4 of these were