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
Stepney 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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32
Provision of Milk and Meals to Expectant and Nursine Mothers and Children.—
The following table shows the approximate quantity and cost of milk, etc., distributed during the year:—
| No. of Grants. | Quantity. | Cost. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cows' Milk— | £ | s. | d. | ||
| Free | 7,662 | 26,757½ gals. | 2,803 | 8 | 2¾ |
| Half-Price | 192 | 686 | 35 | 14 | 5 |
| Dried— | |||||
| Free | 1,657 | 7,056½ pkts. | 561 | 5 | 11 |
| Half-Price | 48 | 202 „ | 7 | 17 | 3½ |
| Virol, etc.— | |||||
| Free | 3,231 | 3,217 lbs. | 225 | 0 | 8½ |
| Half-Price | 94 | 94 „ | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Total | 12,884 | 27,443½ gals. | £3,636 | 11 | 9¾ |
| 7,258½ packets. | |||||
| 3,31 lbs. | |||||
The number of dinners supplied by the Stepney Invalid Kitchen, White
Horse Street, on the grounds of health, to expectant and nursing mothers who
are in necessitous circumstances, was 1,522, at a cost to the Council of
£50 12s. 10d.
Home Helps.—The number of cases in which home helps have been
provided under the Borough Council's Scheme has increased from 15 in 1936,
which was the first complete year of working the Scheme, to 25 during the
year under review.
This service is a boon to the poorer mothers in the Borough, enabling
them to accept treatment, if necessary, and to go through confinement relieved
of the cares and worries of family and household.
The scheme has worked smoothly during the year and in no case has
there been any serious complaint from mother or home help. The Council's
panel of home helps consists of selected women, each applicant being interviewed
before being placed on the list.
Artificial Sunlight Treatment.—During the year arrangements were made
with the London County Council to provide artificial sunlight treatment at
St. Peter's Hospital for children attending the local municipal centre. 9
children received such treatment free of cost.
Maternity Nursing.—Maternity Nurses were supplied in two instances in
doctors' cases under the Council's Scheme free of cost to the patients.
Child Life Protection.—Total visits of the eleven Child
Protection Visitors to homes of foster mothers 233
Total visits of the eleven Child Protection Visitors to foster
children 287
Other visits made by these visitors 200