London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hendon 1943

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hendon]

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11.
I am indebted to Dr, J. Helen Garrow for the following observations
on the health conditions of the children cared for at these Nurseries:-
"The children on the whole put on weight, improved in
firmness of muscle and became more energetic.
Babies under one year have done particularly well.
This is very much to the credit of the Matrons and nurserytrained
nurses, who have been meticulous in their attention
to these babies. Also to the fact that a small baby is always
kept warm, bathed in a warm atmosphere and has warm clothes put
on. His mother also as long as he is a baby realises that
warmth is 'life' to him. Unfortunately, by the time this baby
"gets on his foot", ho is allowed to stand and sit on cold
floors without shoes or stockings, and possibly only a very
brief frock and vest. He gets a cold in the head and nasal
catarrh and bronchitis follows. This state of things is so
general that it is accepted as unavoidable both in the small
children and the infant class at school.
Nasal catarrh and bronchitis are the chief cause of
illness in the nurseries. Pour steps have been taken to
improve this condition:-
1. Increase in heat in the Nurseries,
2. Warmer clothing for the children.
3. More toys of the movable type to promote
activity.
4. Explaining the plan to the parents to enlist
their co-operation in always keeping the
child well wrapped up on the journey to and
from the Nursery, as well as at home.
The improvement in the childrens' condition in the summer
months is most marked, with the drier atmosphere and warmer
days the nasal catarrh practically disappears.
There have been no epidemics of infectious illness in any
of the six Nurseries. Each Nursery has had some cases of
measles, whooping cough, mumps, scarlet fever and conjunctivitis#
Prom time to time an occasional case of impetigo or
scabies appeared which was promptly dealt with.
There has been no gastro-enteritis in any of the Nurseries."
SANITARY INSPECTIONS OF THE AREA.

The following summary of the inspection work performed by the Sanitary Inspectors has been submitted to me by Mr. G, E. Luck, Chief Sanitary Inspector

Inspections made7384
Reinspections after order or notice8742
Complaints received and investigated1701
No-answer visits1528
Nuisances discovered and dealt with2462
Inspections of Air Raid Shelters555
Visits paid to infected houses950
Infected rooms disinfected1079
Cesspools emptied123
Choked drains cleared by Local Authority for the abatement of urgent nuisances209