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
Croydon 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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13
Infant Mortality among illegitimate children.—The steady
decrease in the general infant mortality for the Borough has unfortunately
not applied to the corresponding rate for illegitimate
children. The infant mortality among illegitimate children in 1923
(Appendix, Table I.), was 253 ; in 1922, 170.
(Appendix, Table I.), was 253 ; in 1922, 170.
The following table summarises the rates for a series of years: —
| Year. | Infant Mortality, illegitimate children. | Year. | Infant Mortality, illegitimate children. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 174 | 1918 | 122 |
| 1913 | 144 | 1919 | 160 |
| 1914 | 175 | 1920 | 159 |
| 1915 | 188 | 1921 | 111 |
| 1916 | 206 | 1922 | 170 |
| 1917 | 250 | 1923 | 253 |
While the fluctuations from year to year depend in large part
on the comparatively small number of children concerned, it is
clear that this unfortunate section of the infant population has not
shared at all in the marked saving of life which has been effected
among children born in wedlock.
SPECIAL CAUSES OF SICKNESS.
No special causes of sickness require to be reported. The year
was in general a particularly healthy one, and the prevalence of
infectious diseases, both notifiable and non-notifiable, was below
the normal.
Nursing Arrangements, Clinics, Hospitals and Other Institutions
Available in the Town.
A.—Professional Nursing in the Home.
(a) General.—The Croydon Nursing Service was established
in 1921, and has extended its activities rapidly. It provides a staff
of trained nurses to attend the sick at their homes. The services
of the nurses are obtainable either by joining in an insurance
scheme, whereby an annual payment ensures attendance on husband,
wife, and children under 18 years of age; or through provident
clubs; or, on occasion, by the payment of fees on the ordinary
recognised scales.
(b) For infections diseases, e.g. measles, etc.—There is at
present no arrangement for the home nursing of cases of measles,
whooping cough, pneumonia, or other similar conditions in which
home nursing may be necessary. The health visitors systematically
visit the homes and give advice to parents as to the nursing and
general care of such children.
One health visitor is engaged in the home nursing of bed-ridden
tuberculous patients.
B. Midwives.
No practising midwives are employed or subsidised by the
local authority.
56 midwives practised in the Borough in 1923.