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
Shoreditch 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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Table No. 80
| 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of children | 269 | 257 | 214 | 262 | 260 | 427 | 440 |
| Number of mothers | - | — | - | 21 | 44 | 45 | 38 |
| Total attendances of children | 4,973 | 5,552 | 5,655 | 5,654 | 5,813 | 6,599 | 6,101 |
| Total attendances of mothers | - | - | - | 284 | 462 | 498 | 382 |
| Average number of visits per— | |||||||
| child | 18.5 | 21.6 | 26.4 | 21.6 | 22.4 | 15.5 | 13.9 |
| mother | — | — | — | 13. | 10.5 | 11.1 | 10.0 |
| Average number of attendances per session— | |||||||
| children | 24.5 | 27 | 27.9 | 23.9 | 19.4 | 21.3 | 20.3 |
| mothers | — | — | — | 5.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 2.6* |
* Up to 26th March, 1937, mothers attended only two sessions weekly, after this
date they were allowed to attend any day during the week. This has accordingly
reduced the average number of attendances per session.
The conditions for which treatment was given during the year are shown in the following table:—
Table No. 81
| Muscular weakness | 39 | Anaemia | 19 |
| Debility | 53 | Bronchitis | 11 |
| Rickets | 68 | Malnutrition | 58 |
| Late results of rickets | 46 | For prophylactic purposes | 74 |
| Enlarged glands | 3 | Other minor conditions | 16 |
| No diagnosis | 53 |
The diagnosis and progress of all cases referred to this clinic for rickets is
confirmed by radiological examination. This work is carried out at St Leonard's
Hospital. The number of X-ray examinations made during the year was 13.
Valuable assistance has been given by voluntary workers at this clinic throughout
the year.
DENTAL CLINIC
The dental treatment of cases of mothers and children referred by the clinic
doctors is carried out by the dental surgeons in the municipal dental hospital. The
following table summarises the work done in connection with this branch of the
maternity and child welfare work since the hospital was opened on a full-time basis.