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 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]
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83
Birth Control Clinic.
A Birth Control Clinic under the auspices of a
voluntary committee is held once a fortnight. The
Local Authority makes a per capita grant to this body for
persons who attend in whom pregnancy would be detrimental
on medical grounds. During the year payments
amounting to £10. 2s. 6d. were made for this purpose.
Supervision of Midwives.
The number of Midwives who notified their intention
to practise during the year 1938 was 47, and the number
practising at the end of the year was 26. The routine
inspection and special investigations are undertaken by
the Medical Officer of Health.
Notifications received from 1st January to 31st December, 1938 :—
| Notices summoning medical aid | 461 |
| For (a) Mothers | 330 |
| For (b) Infants | 131 |
The following is a summary of the reasons for sending for medical help by midwives :—
| Perineal Tear | 87 |
| Prolonged Labour | 69 |
| Discharging Eyes | 61 |
| Rise of Temperature | 46 |
| Malpresentation | 22 |
| Ante-Partum Haemorrhage | 19 |
| Miscarriage | 18 |
| Post-Partum Haemorrhage | 12 |
| Albuminuria | 9 |
| Watery Blisters | 8 |
| Feebleness of Infant | 7 |
| Varicose Veins | 6 |
| Circumcision | 5 |
| Deformity | 4 |
| Other Causes | 88 |
| 461 |