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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]
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Work of Health Visitors
The following table shows the number of visits paid by the Health Visitors during the year:—
| (a) To expectant mothers | First visits | 330 |
| Total visits | 557 | |
| (b) To children under 1 year of age | First visits | 1,960 |
| Total visits | 4,606 | |
| (c) To children between the ages of 1 and 5 years | Total visits | 12,609 |
| (d) Ineffective visits | Total visits | 4,019 |
| (e) Other visits | Total visits | 5,229 |
| Grand Total | 27,020 |
Domiciliary Midwifery Service
The following is a summary of the reasons for sending for medical aid by midwives:—
| Perineal Tear | 98 |
| Discharging Eyes | 60 |
| Prolonged Labour | 23 |
| Ante-Partum Haemorrhage | 21 |
| Miscarriage | 20 |
| Rise of Temperature | 19 |
| Malpresentation | 14 |
| Post-Partum Haemorrhage | 11 |
| Threatened Miscarriage | 9 |
| Unsatisfactory Condition of Infant | 7 |
| Albuminuria | 7 |
| Abortion | 6 |
| Rash on Baby | 5 |
| Premature Baby | 5 |
| Cyanosed Infant | 4 |
| Toxaemia | 4 |
| Difficult 2nd Stage | 4 |
| Adherent Placenta | 4 |
| Premature Labour | 4 |
| Bleeding per Vagina | 4 |
| Inflammation over Veins in Leg | 4 |
| Early Rupture of Membranes | 4 |
| Jaundice | 4 |
| Persistent Vomiting | 3 |
| Spina Bifida | 3 |
| Phlebitis | 3 |
| Other Causes | 54 |
| 404 |