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
East Ham 1926
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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46
Further, special visits to the homes have to be made by the
Health Visitors in connection with all sorts of unusual circumstances
that occur, e.g., in reference to Tonsils and Adenoids,
cases of Pneumonia in infants, Ante-natal cases, cases of Puerperal
Septicaemia and Pyrexia, cases of Ophthalmia Neonatorum,
etc.
| Total number of births registered (including transfers) | 2,505 |
| Total number of still-births | 59 |
| Total number of un-notified births | 104 |
| Visits to infants under one year of age | 5,809 |
| Visits to children over one year of age | 4,531 |
| Visits to Ophthalmia Neonatorum cases | 20 |
| Visits to Tonsils and Adenoids cases | 42 |
| Visits to Ante-natal cases | 221 |
| Visits to Puerperal Fever cases | 3 |
| Special visits, not included in above groups | 121 |
| Total number of visits | 10,747 |
The Question of Birtb Control in Relation to Maternity and Child
Welfare Centres.
It has, at different times, been stated that members of the
staff at the White House give information to persons attending
at the Centre, and in course of home visitation, in reference to
methods of contraception. Indefinite information only could be
obtained, and those making the assertions were unable or unwilling
to give any names. The Medical Officer at the Infant
Welfare Centre was requested to make enquiry into the matter,
but results were entirely negative. I have come to the conclusion
that the White House staff has been confused, in reference to this
matter, with the staff of a neighbouring institution in an adjoining
borough, members of whose staff are not precluded from discussing
the subject I have named.
The question, of course, is not whether such information
should properly be given, but whether it should be given at, or in
connection with, the Infant Welfare Department.