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
Ilford 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
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53
Illegitimate Births and Deaths.— 73 of the live births registered
(34 males and 39 females) were illegitimate, that is 3.3% of the births
registered.
One illegitimate child died under one year of age.
The following table shows the birth and death rates of legitimate and illegitimate infants for the past ten years:—
| Year | Legitimate Infants | Illegitimate Infants | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live Births | Percentage of Registered Births | Deaths | Rate per 1,000 Legitimate Live Births | Live Births | Percentage of Registered Births | Deaths | Rate per 1,000 Illegitimate Live Births | |
| 1958 | 2,155 | 96.7 | 30 | 16.7 | 73 | 3.3 | 1 | 13.7 |
| 1957 | 2,158 | 97.3 | 38 | 17.6 | 61 | 2.7 | — | — |
| 1956 | 2,056 | 97.2 | 30 | 14.6 | 59 | 2.8 | 3 | 50.8 |
| 1955 | 2,045 | 97.4 | 40 | 19.6 | 55 | 2.6 | 2 | 36.4 |
| 1954 | 2,145 | 97.8 | 40 | 18.6 | 48 | 2.2 | 1 | 20.8 |
| 1953 | 2,104 | 97.0 | 43 | 19.9 | 67 | 3.0 | 2 | 29.9 |
| 1952 | 2,232 | 90.1 | 44 | 19.7 | 91 | 3.9 | — | — |
| 1951 | 2,300 | 97.1 | 49 | 21.2 | 70 | 2.9 | 1 | 14.3 |
| 1950 | 2,332 | 90.9 | 41 | 17.6 | 74 | 3.1 | 4 | 54.0 |
| 1949 | 2,567 | 97.6 | 51 | 19.9 | 63 | 2.4 | 2 | 31.7 |
The Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association continued to
undertake the care of the unmarried mother and her child on behalf of
the County Council and there has been direct co-operation through their
Moral Welfare Workers for this district. In addition, all cases are followed
up by the Health Visitors.
Health Visitors and School Nurses.— Miss Oliver, the Superintendent
Health Visitor, reports as follows :—
"The scope of the health visitor's work continues to enlarge. So
little is heard about her work, it is a pleasing task to be asked to contribute
to this Report.
As we now visit from the expectant mother to a small proportion
of the elderly, opportunity is given to teach preventive health to many
different age groups. The personal visit to the home is still important
and enables the health visitor to be a ' friend of the family
A wider scope in the teaching of health aspects has been given
to us by holding five relaxation sessions weekly with mothercraft talks
included.
The Manford Way Clinic Mothers' Club made a good start again
this year; films were shown and outside speakers invited. Guilds, Toc H
Group. Young Wives' Groups have also called on us to assist them by
speaking about our work.