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

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Barking 1934

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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35
Whilst we have every reason to believe that this procedure will free the
individuals so treated from the risk of contracting diphtheria, it is of course
apparent that immunity produced in so small a number will not materially affect
the attack rate, that is, the number of people who will contract diphtheria. Thus,
whilst having the satisfaction of knowing we have protected those who have availed
themselves of this service, we deplore the fact that we cannot look for prevention
in any material degree to the whole community, without first persuading a considerable
percentage of the school population, and more especially of the toddlers or
pre-school age children, to submit themselves to this treatment.
(q) Minor Ailments.—Your Minor Ailments Clinics have been held at two
centres and here babies and toddlers have been treated whenever necessary;
so also have certain conditions in nursing mothers.

The following table shows the work which has been carried out at your Minor Ailments Clinics :—

Central Clinic.Shaftesbury Clinic.
No. of cases seen by medical officers :—
(a) New cases233495
(b) Old cases6701,346
No. of attendances for treatment1,1141,550

(r) Infant Life Protection (under Part I of the Children Act, 1908, as amended by
Part V of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1932).—Your Health Visitors and
Chief Sanitary Inspector are all Infant Life Protection Visitors, and regular visits
are paid to all children coming within the meaning of the Act.
I am perturbed both at the number of irregularities among foster-mothers
and at the small importance which is attached to such irregularities.
It is the duty of every foster-parent to inform the Council in writing at least
seven days before receiving a child, under the age of nine years, to keep for reward,
and similar notice is required for each additional child kept for payment. Fosterparents
are also obliged to give seven days' notice to the Authority of intention to
change residence. In the case of the removal of an infant, notice must be sent
within twenty-four hours of the name and address of the person to whom the
child is being sent.