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
Beckenham 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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The following figures show the main reasons for medical
examinations:—
Referred Average Number
Total seen Feeding and to Special Special General seen by Doctor
by Doctor. Digestion. Clinics. Cases. Progress. per Session.
4,454 1,160 183 91 3,020 15.9
FOLLOWING-UP OF 2 TO 5 YEARS OLD CHILDREN.
There are approximately 2,000 children of these ages on the
register, and, wherever possible, they are visited twice a year by
the Health Visitors.
The attendances of "Toddlers" at the Centres reached the
satisfactorily high figure of 2,964.
The following figures show the attendances of children in age groups:—
| Year born | Total who Attended | Attendances made | Average number of Attendances per Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 157 | 456 | 2.9 |
| 1933 | 207 | 926 | 4.3 |
| 1934 | 259 | 1,582 | 6.1 |
| 1935 | 361 | 2,627 | 7.2 |
| 1936 | 521 | 8,390 | 16.1 |
| 1937 | 480 | 5,299 | 11.0 |
| Total | 1,985 | 19,280 | 9.9 |
PROVISION OF MILK, MILK FOODS, ETC.
A stock of dried milks and other foods is kept at the Centres
and sold to the mothers at cost price. During the year foods to the
value of approximately £1,200 were sold.
FREE MILK TO NECESSITOUS CASES.
A sum of £180 was spent upon providing milk for children
under five years of age. A form of application is submitted in every
case showing the family income, and a scale of income has been
adopted by the Council for guidance in granting free issues.
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