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
Woolwich 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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49
The year's work shows that there is a definite need for a clinic of this character
and that parents are prepared to take advantage of the facilities provided. It will
be noted from the Table that operation was necessary in 29 cases ; 21 of these have
already been operated on. Most of these are still attending the clinic because the
treatment is not completed with the operation. It is necessary to take steps to
ensure that the child learns to breathe properly after the operation if a continuance
of symptoms is to be avoided. The total number of sessions held during the period
was 34 ; the total number of attendances was 473.
TABLE No. 14.
| Condition. | No. of Cases. | For opinion only. | For Treatment | Discharged. | Still attending. | Ceased attending. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative. | Operation. | Cured. | Much proved. | Improved. | |||||
| Enlarged tonsils and adenoids | 159 | 9 | 121 | 29 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 95 | 26 |
| Nasal catarrh | 20 | — | 20 | — | 2 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| Otorrhea | 20 | — | 19 | 1 | 12 | — | — | 8 | — |
| Injuries | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Wax in ear | 7 | 1 | 6 | — | 6 | — | — | 1 | — |
| Diphtheritic paralysis | 1 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Laryngeal stridor | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| Otitis extern | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| Others | 5 | 1 | 4 | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 218 | 15 | 173 | 30 | 40 | 16 | 9 | 1ll | 27 | |
Provision of Maternity Outfits.—In 1930 the Council agreed to supply
sterilised maternity outfits for the use of necessitous mothers in order to ensure
the necessary cleanliness in domestic midwifery, and with a view to minimising the
risks of maternity. They are supplied, free, half cost, or cost price, according to
the family income, the Council's economic circumstances scales being used as tests
of necessity. During the year 78 applications were received: 75 outfits were
supplied—42 free, 18 at half cost, and 15 at cost price.
Compensation to Midwives.—Whenever an assistant medical officer finds it
necessary to recommend hospital treatment for expectant mothers referred to the
Council's ante-natal clinics for ante-natal examination by midwives, the midwife
loses her patient if the mother accepts the advice of the medical officer and is