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 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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Notification of Births.
The Notification of Births Act, 1915, requires that all births
be notified to the Medical Officer of Health within 36 hours of
their occurrence.
All cases notified are visited by the Health Visitor as soon
as possible after the doctor or midwife has ceased to attend.
Advice is given with regard to the care, management, feeding and
clothing of the child, and also the general health and care of the
mother.
Thereafter, periodic visits are made to the homes of infants
during the first two years of life, and, as far as possible, at wider
intervals during the next three years, up to the time when the child
comes under the observation of tfie School Medical Service.
The visits made by the Health Visitor during 1932 were 20,277.
| Visits to infants under one year of age | 7,458 |
| Visits to children over one year of age | 11,930 |
| Visits to Tonsils and Adenoid cases | 160 |
| Visits to Ante-natal cases, first visits | 218 |
| Visits to Ante-natal cases, revisits | 52 |
| Visits to Foster Mothers | 225 |
| Special visits not included in the above group | 234 |
| 20,277 |
The Work of the Health Visitors in the Homes of the
Borough.
The visiting of young infants and children under school age
was the primary object of the appointment of Health Visitors,
and remains the most important part of their work.
The work of the Health Visitors includes the following:—
1. Visiting homes under the Notification of Births Act.
2. Home visiting of children up to 5 years of age.
3. Home visiting of pre-school children in regard to
defects.
4. Home visiting of foster children.