London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ilford 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
This page requires JavaScript
59
Convalescent Treatment.-By arrangement with the Invalid Children's
Aid Association four children were admitted to Convalescent Homes during the
vear, the Council contributing towards the cost of maintenance.
The Council also made a grant of £25 to the funds of the Association.
Treatment ok Minor Ailments.-Children suffering from simple dietetic
ailments are treated at the Infant Welfare Centres. 41 belts were supplied to
infants suffering from hernia during 1947. A certain number of infants were
brought to the Clinics at Newbury Hall and Mayesbrook Clinic to receive
treatment for minor ailments.
Cardiac Clinic.-In April 1947, the Council decided to hold a Cardiac
Clinic each month at Newbury Hall, Perrymans Farm Road, at which expectant
and nursing mothers could attend on reference from the ante-natal or post-natal
clinics, thus obviating them the journey to Queen Mary's Hospital, Stratford.
Dr. K. Playfair agreed to attend as the cardiologist.
The first clinic was held on the 7th June and up till the end of 1947 five
sessions were held. 26 expectant and nursing mothers were referred from either
the ante-natal or post-natal clinics, who made a total of 36 attendances.
The following is a summary of the cases examined:-
| Condition. | PostNatal | AnteNatal |
|---|---|---|
| Antecedent history of acute rheumatism | - | 3 |
| Aortic valvular incompetence | - | 1 |
| Cardiac Decompensation | - | 1 |
| Cardiac symptoms and epilepsy | - | 1 |
| Congenital valvular lesion | - | 1 |
| Mitral stenosis | - | 6 |
| Mitral stenosis with decompensation | - | 1 |
| Pulmonary systolic murmur-hypertension | - | 1 |
| Rheumatic heart-syncopal attacks | - | 1 |
| Systolic mitral murmur | 1 | 7 |
| Tachycardia | 1 | |
| Thyrotoxicosis | - | 1 |
| Total | 1 | 25 |
9 of these patients were, however, referred to Queen Mary's Hospital for
X-Ray and electrocardiograph. The Council agreed to pay a charge of £1 1s.
per film for X-Ray examination, with 10s. 6d. for each subsequent film if
required and 10s. 6d. for each electrocardiograph.
Midwives.-There were 22 State certified midwives (including the Superintendent,
Deputy Superintendent and 13 Council midwives and 2 part-time
midwives) resident and practising in the district. In addition there were at the
end of the year 14 State certified midwives at the Council's Maternity Home, 2
at Wilnett Lodge post-natal home and 5 at private nursing homes in Ilford.
Their supervision has been carried out as in previous years.
Suspension from Practice.-Eight midwives were suspended from practice
for varying periods during the year following attendance on 7 cases rendering