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
London County Council 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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The following is a record of admissions during 1938 and the two preceding years:—
| 1938 | 1937 | 1936 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of London | 12 | 32 | 21 |
| Hampstead | 16 | 21 | 10 |
| Islington | 306 | 342 | 341 |
| Lambeth | 253 | 325 | 295 |
| Southwark | 291 | 325 | 255 |
| Caxton Hal | 179 | 157 | 169 |
| Stamford House | 287 | 303 | 308 |
| Toynbee Hall | 278 | 307 | 334 |
| Buckinghamshire and Berkshire | — | — | 2 |
| East Ham | 25 | 28 | 30 |
| Essex | 38 | 32 | 122 |
| Hertfordshire | 17 | 30 | 30 |
| Kent | 55 | 45 | 50 |
| Middlesex | 77 | 64 | 271 |
| Southend | 1 | 7 | 17 |
| Surrey | 16 | 26 | 57 |
| West Ham | 49 | 62 | 78 |
| Woolwich | 47 | * | * |
| Adult Courts | 121 | 132 | 117 |
| Education Act | 17 | 41 | 31 |
| Place of safety lodgers | 103 | 52 | 70 |
| Total | 2,188 | 2,331 | 2,608 |
*No court at Woolwich.
Subjoined is a record of the charges. In many cases this grouping is misleading, in that so frequently the delinquency is found to be multiple in type. The increase in the frequency of breach of recognizances may appear to imply a failure in the probation system; but equally it may imply increased vigilance and zeal on the part of the probationer officers.
| 1938 | 1937 | 1936 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stealing | 912 | 1,106 | 1,181 |
| Breaking, entering and stealing | 138 | 116 | 162 |
| Breaking and entering | 100 | 117 | 170 |
| Burglary | 4 | 2 | 13 |
| Carrying firearms without licence | — | 4 | — |
| Embezzlement | 20 | 23 | 28 |
| Forgery | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Demanding money with menaces | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| False pretences | 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Travelling without ticket | 8 | 9 | 11 |
| Suspected person | 37 | 54 | 102 |
| Trespassing | — | — | 1 |
| Begging | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Insulting conduct | 7 | 9 | 6 |
| Wilful damage | 11 | 7 | 16 |
| Assault | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Malicious wounding | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Sex offences | 20 | 26 | 30 |
| Absconding | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Breach of recognizance | 153 | 119 | 77 |
| Beyond control | 195 | 212 | 270 |
| Education Act | 17 | 44 | 31 |
| Place of safety lodgers | 103 | 52 | 70 |
| Motor offences | 82 | 68 | 80 |
| Murder | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Manslaughter | 2 | — | — |
| Care or protection | 340 | 311 | 309 |
| Deserting from Army | 4 | 1 | — |
| Arson | 2 | 2 | — |
| Sacrilege | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Drunk and incapable | 1 | 4 | 13 |
| Other offences | — | 7 | |
| Total | 2,188 | 2,331 | 2,608 |