Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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There are, however, other cases for which this provision is not available. The difficulties dealt
with have included:—
1. Employment. 5. The provision of open-air school
2. Housing. accommodation.
3. Unsuitability for such help as is available. 6. Provision for advanced cases.
4. Difficulties of character and mentality 7. Provision of medical care for non-
which unfit the patient for the full pauper ton-panel patients in their
utilization of help provided. own homes.
The one completely satisfactory section of the Committee's work has been the
Children's Section, which has been entirely in the hands of Mrs. Philipson. Twenty-seven
children were sent away under the London County Council scheme. Two were referred to
the I.C.A.A. for special care. The Committee is deeply indebted to Mrs. Philipson, who,
in addition to the work for the children, has undertaken the whole of the collection of the
adults' payments, and has given to the Committee in every direction assistance of which it is
impossible to speak too cordially.
In the latter part of the year, Miss Lawrence gave valuable help in clerical work and
in visiting, but was unable to continue.
The emergency provision of clothing for patients who have not any suitable equipment
is of importance. The cases of urgency so far arising have been met in part by the help of
private friends and by Queen Mary's Needlework Guild. It is hoped later to establish a
needlework guild for the Committee.
Among many pressing needs are: —
1. Means of subsidizing the earnings of partially recovered patients.
2. Further provision of employment specially adapted for patients.
3. Further provision of tenement workshops of hygienic construction for such
patients.
4. Living accommodation for cases in crowded homes, or for those without
adequate attention who are not yet hospital cases.
5. More complete assistance to recovery for pneumonia and pleurisy patients by
way of preventive work.
6. Some provision for medical care in the patient's own home for the necessitous
who have no panel doctor, and, though not " destitute," are unable to
pay ordinary medical fees, when too ill to attend the dispensary.
PUERPERAL FEVER.
Sixteen cases were notified during the year. Two of these were non-residents, who
had come to homes in the Borough for their confinements. Four deaths occurred from this
cause, one of these being a non-resident.
As the result of an inquest, one other death was recorded of a case which had not been
notified. There were therefore 15 St. Pancras cases, with three deaths. This equals an
incidence rate of 3.6 per 1,000 births and a case mortality of 20 per cent. Of the 14 notified
cases, 5 were primiparæ (women who had not previously had children) and 9 were multiparæ.
Five cases followed the birth of dead or premature children, and 9 were after the birth of living
children. Four cases were attended in their confinements by doctors, 6 by midwives, 3 by
students, and 1 case was unattended at the birth.
All the patients were admitted to hospitals. Twelve of the confinements took place in
the patients' own home, two were in institutions.