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7
Maternity and Child Welfare.
This is the last complete year for which St. Pancras will be responsible for Maternity and
Child Welfare services, and it is therefore pleasing to be able to record a year of high achievement.
The number of registered live births was 2,793. This is the highest recorded figure since 1931,
when the number was 2,955. I believe that the figure for 1947 still records the effect of
demobilisation, marriage and the commencement of family life, for there were indications towards
the end of the year that the birth rate was dropping. I anticipate that the number of births
in 1948 will be less than in 1947.
The infantile mortality rate was 34.0, the lowest ever recorded in St. Pancras.
I feel sure that this rate will be a source of gratification to the Council and a fitting reward for
its ever present concern for the welfare of the children of the borough, for its pioneer efforts
and its enthusiasm.
This figure of 34 per thousand is not achieved in a land flowing with milk and honey, nor
in a community well housed and provided with open spaces, but in St. Pancras, overcrowded,
partially destroyed by enemy action, at a time of scarcity when we are trying to overcome
bad environmental conditions resulting from two wars. This figure is achieved during the year
when England recorded one of its severest winters. I do not know what is the lowest figure it is
possible to obtain ; I certainly do not consider 34.0, as that minimum. I believe it can, and
in fact will be, lowered by better environmental conditions, better medical knowledge on
the causes of premature birth, injury at birth, and congenital abnormality. Glad as I am
to report this low infantile mortality in the last full year of our responsibility, I still do not
accept the figure with complacency.
The Care of Blind Persons in St. Pancras.
The care of individual persons certified as blind rests with the London County Council.
The environmental conditions in which they live is part of the responsibility of the
St. Pancras Borough Council. It is obvious that many conditions may exist in the premises
in which they live, of which, on account of their disability, they are unaware. There are
approximately 50 persons certified as blind living in St. Pancras. Of these, three are in hospital
and two are in homes for the blind. 34 persons are living in their own homes. Of these, 14
are totally blind and 20 partially blind, but their blindness is such that they are not able to do
ordinary work for which sight is required. Their ages are as follows :
2 aged 88
7 between 81 and 87
11 „ 70 and 80
8 ,, 60 and 69
4 „ 50 and 59
1 aged 38
1 age not given.
Routine visits have been made to all blind persons living at home to see what improvement
in their living conditions can be obtained for them and to abate any sanitary nuisances. It was
found that 13 of the above blind persons were living alone and 19 with relatives or friends.
Two partially blind persons, brother and sister, are living together. Our survey has shown
that in 28 cases the general care was considered either satisfactory or fair. In two cases it was
unsatisfactory, and in two the surroundings were stated to be poor. Home helps have been
offered where necessary, and in 12 cases sanitary defects were found and the appropriate notices
served. I am satisfied that this routine survey of the conditions under which blind persons in
St. Pancras are living has and will help materially in improving their comfort.
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