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
Romford 1939
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Romford]
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The Dental arrangements were carried out by rota as before, and
on April 1st, Mr. S. R. Johns, L.D.S., took over duties from Mr.
N. S. Fames. In order, however, to maintain continuity of service
those patients who required completion of treatment after April 1st
were permitted to have this done by Mr. Fames.
Regarding the provision of Milk, there were 2,308 applications
for receiving cows' milk free, or at less than cost price—204 had to
pay a proportion of the cost, and the remaining 2,104 received it free.
In a similar manner 1,901 applications were received regarding
dried milk, and other foods, 189 had to pay a proportion, and 1,712
received free grants.
When recommended, dried milk and accessories can also be
purchased at the Clinics at cost price.
During 1939, 410 Child Welfare Sessions were held, and the following table gives a summary of the attendances.
| Table 1. | |
|---|---|
| Individual Children attending | 2,525 |
| Children attending for the first time | 897 |
| Medical Consultations | 9,587 |
| Attendances of Children under 1 year | 13,672 |
| Attendances of Children between the ages of 1 | |
| and 5 years | 8,525 |
| Average attendance per session | 54.1 |
The percentage of notified live births, represented by the total
number of children who attended for the first time during the year,
and who on the date of their first attendance were under 1 year of
age was 66.5.
Ultra-violet Ray Therapy was temporarily suspended during the
last four months of the year, so as to avoid too large aggregations of
children, but it was felt that circumstances might justify re-commencement
at the beginning of 1940.
Dr. Christie has kindly tabulated statistics relative to the treatment
given during 1939. Altogether 65 individual patients were
treated. Of these 9 had had less than 6 doses by the end of the year.
These are excluded from the table.
| Table 2. | |
|---|---|
| Group 1. | Debilated and Nervous Children. |
| „ 2. | Anaemic Children. |
| ,, 3. | Children under weight. |
| „ 4. | Rickety Children. |
| ,, 5. | Children suffering from Respiratory Defects |