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
Dagenham 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]
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54
investigation which follows in all eases does much to move
conditions which are likely to have a greater issue. As in the case
of maternal deaths, all cases notified under the Puerperal Fever
and Puerperal Pyrexia Regulations are investigated by a Health
Visitor and in addition the majority of cases are visited by your
Medical Officer of Health.
Of the 9 cases, 6 patients were admitted to hospital, 3 of these
being to Rush Green Isolation Hospital, 2 to Oldchurch Hospital
and 1 was a patient in the East End Maternity Hospital.
Work of Health Visitors.
Routine visits are paid to infants as soon as possible after
the tenth day, and special visits are paid to cases of ophthalmia
neonatorum, puerperal fever, stillbirths, infant deaths, etc., and
subsequent to operative treatment of tonsils and adenoids. Each
Health Visitor has been appointed Infant Protect ion Visitor for her
own area. The Health Visitors also attend the various clinics.
In the case of infant welfare centres and ante-natal clinics, the
Health Visitor is, as far as possible, in charge of the session at which
the mothers from her district attend.
The following table shows the number of visits paid by Health Visitors during the year :—
| (a) To expectant mothers | First visits | 636 |
| Total visits | 1,483 | |
| (b) To children under 1 year of age | First visits | 2,271 |
| Total visits | 6,088 | |
| (c) To children between the ages of 1 and 5 years | Total visits | 7,952 |
Infant Welfare Centres.
There are 2 weekly infant welfare centres at the Becontree
Clinic, 3 at Ford Road, 2 at Five Elms, 1 at Pettit Farm, 1 at
Chadwell Heath and 1 at Rush Green. Each of these centres is
attended by two Health Visitors, with the exception of Ruse
Green, at which there is only one in attendance. Also a Medical
Officer is present for consultations.
The clinic commenced at Pettit Farm in August shows signs
of continued growth, and it will be necessary, if the increase in
attendances is maintained, to consider the necessity of holding
another session there. At some of the centres ladies who kindly
give their services to assist with the teas are present, and I have
pleasure in recording our thanks to them for undertaking these
duties. From time to time a profit is made which is handed over