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Whooping Cough. During the same period, 608 children received injections.
Supply of Insulin to Persons Suffering from Diabetes. The number
of patients who received insulin during the first half of the year, in accordance
with the sanction of the Ministry of Health, was 10. This service was transferred
to the local health authority.
Care of Premature Infants. The action taken in connection with the care
of premature infants was in conformity with the Ministry of Health circular
No. 20/44.
The number of babies born in the Borough during the first six months of 1948
whose birth weight was 5½ pounds, or less was 86. Of these, 78 were born in hospital
and 8 in private houses. Of those born in hospital, 2 died during the first twentyfour
hours and 52 survived at the end of four weeks. Of those born in private houses,
2 died during the first twenty-four hours and 6 survived at the end of four weeks.
No applications for the loan of draught-proof cots or other equipment or for the
services of the Consultant Paediatrician were received.
Home and Domestic Helps. The Council's scheme, which provided for
domestic assistance in confinement cases and in cases of illness where the housewife
was incapacitated or where old people were concerned, was continued by the London
County Council. During the first half of the year the total number of cases in which
domestic help was provided was 335; 123 in confinement cases and 212 in cases
of illness. Whereas the home help was employed in the majority of maternity
cases for two weeks, in many of the cases of illness—particularly with old people—the
period of employment was of much longer duration.
Clinic for Physical Medicine. Attendances at this clinic totalled 4,155
during the period 1st January to 4th July.
Foot Clinics. The control of the Council's foot clinics passed to the London
County Council in July, 1948. During the early part of the year the Borough
Council extended the scope of the chiropody services in the Borough by the setting
up of chiropody chairs at North Woolwich, and at the Plumstead Health Centre
to serve the lower Plumstead area. These clinics started in April and May respectively.
The work of the Woolwich and Eltham foot clinics increased, there
being 5,168 attendances at the Woolwich clinic and 3,602 attendances at the Eltham
clinic.
Vaccination. The National Health Service Act abolished compulsory vaccination
as from the 5th July.
The Vaccination Officer's Return for the period to the 5th July, 1948 shows
that there were 970 entries in the birth hsts. Of these, 659 were successfully
vaccinated. The total number of successful primary vaccinations during the same
period was 1,004.
Vaccination continues to be available either through the patient's own doctor
or the local health authority clinics.