London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1937

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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11
NATIONAL HEALTH CAMPAIGN.
The City Corporation took part in the National Health Campaign which was organised
during 1937. Posters and display cards were exhibited and the larger employers of labour
were communicated with in an appropriate manner. The City medical practitioners were
also asked to co-operate, and were supplied with all the information available as to the
various health services administered by the Public Health Committee. A special leaflet
was prepared for distribution from post offices, where an additional small notice was exhibited
on the public notice boards drawing attention to the fact that such leaflets were available
at the counter.
INSURANCE.
A matter of some considerable domestic importance was reviewed during the year,
and the Public Health Committee have now arranged for an insurance policy to be effected
which covers any legal liability in respect of injuries to persons and damage to property
arising in connection with the conduct and services of the various clinics administered
by them.
maternity and child welfare.
Four hundred and twenty-seven notifications of births, including 24 still births, made
in accordance with the requirements of the Notification of Births Act, were received. Of
these, 48 only referred to City births; and the balance were transferred to the appropriate
authorities. There were 3 still births to City parents.
Forty-eight initial visits were made as a consequence of these notifications, and 1,161
subsequent visits in connection with infant welfare and ante-natal work.
Three visits were necessary in connection with cases which came within the scope of the
Children Act, 1908, or in respect of a nurse child.
Supplies of milk (2,664 galls.) and 424 lbs. of dried milk, at cost price or free, according
to circumstances, have been provided, according to the practice which has been in operation
for some years. Cod Liver Oil is also given if its administration appears to be desirable.
One home help was provided during 1937.
There was one notification of a verminous school child under the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1904.
Three visits were made in connection with infant life protection. There were no cases
of Ophthalmia.
The lying-in accommodation provided by the City Corporation at St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1929, was not
utilized during 1937.
THE CITY OF LONDON WELFARE CENTRE, HELD AT ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL.
The City of London Infant Welfare Centre continued actively during 1937. It was
found necessary during the year to alter the dates of the two weekly sessions, and these now
take place at 2.30 p.m., on Wednesdays and Thursdays. There were 99 sessions held of
the Welfare Centre, 8 special sessions for the immunisation of children against diphtheria,
and 2 for Schick tests. One thousand one hundred and sixty-one home visits were paid
by the Health Visitors. It will be seen that, with an annual birth registration of about
48, this activity effectively covers the babies and young children living in the City and
provides a satisfactory health service. 1 hope, however, to develop an ante- and post-natal
and a convalescent service during the coming year.
During this year the immunisation of children against diphtheria has continued. Altogether,
25 have been immunised in 1937, which may be counted a fairly satisfactory figure.
Seventy-one children have now been immunised. It has proved necessary to hold special
sessions for purposes of immunisation and for Schick testing ; the technique cannot be
satisfactorily carried out and the cases properly supervised at the regular sessions without
causing much waiting and delay for the mothers normally attending.