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 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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44 years' service in the Public Health Department, retired in July,
taking with him the respect and affection of all with whom his
work had brought him in contact.
I should like to thank the Assistant Medical Officer of Health
Dr. Thomson, and all the professional and clerical members of the
staff of the Public Health Department for loyal and efficient service,
throughout a difficult year.
NATURAL AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Details of the area and character of the district have been
given in previous reports. 'Information on Vital Statistics is not yet
available and will be added later.
PUBLIC- MORTUARY.
There were 42 cases of sudden death in the district during 1944,
where the public mortuary was used.
VENEREAL DISEASES.
There is no treatment centre in the area for these diseases.
The K.C.C. provide a Clinic at Dartford.
INFANTILE MORTALITY.
The attached Table gives details of 33 local cases, of which records are available :—
| Under 1 week | 1-2 wks. | 2-3 wks. | 3-4 wks. | Total under one mth. | 1-3 mths. | 4-6 mths. | 7-9 mths. | 10-12 mths. | Total under one year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. | ||||||||||
| Congenital Heart | 1 | 1 | _ | 1 | 3 | _ | _ | _ | _ | 3 |
| Spina Bifida | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 |
| Spina Bifida & Meningocele | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |
| B. | ||||||||||
| Prematurity | 13 | - | - | - | 13 | 1 | - | - | - | 14 |
| Atelectasis | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Precipitate Labour Cerebral Haemorrhage | 1 | _ | _ | _ | 1 | _ | _ | _ | _ | 1 |
| C. | ||||||||||
| Gastroenteritis | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | 2 | _ | 1 | _ | 3 |
| Bronchopneumonia | _ | 1 | _ | _ | 1 | _ | _ | _ | 1 | .2 |
| Lobar Pneumonia | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | 2 | 2 | _ | _ | 4 |
| D. | ||||||||||
| Violence | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | 1 | _ | 1 |
| Lack of attention at birth | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 |
| 18 | 3 | 1 | 22 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 33 |