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
Walthamstow 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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The following table shows the work done by the midwives during 1931:—
| Up to 31.3.31. | After 31.3.31. | Total. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of confinements attended as a midwife | 208 | 440 | 648 |
| ,, confinements attended as a maternity nurse | 51 | 85 | 136 |
| ,, Medical Aid Notices sent | 32 | 84 | 116 |
| ,, Notifications of Deaths (all children) | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| ,, Twin births | — | 3 | 3 |
| ,, Stillbirths | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| ,, Notifications of liability to be a source of infection | 1 | 4 | 5 |
During 1930, 680 cases were attended as Midwives and 149 as
Maternity Nurses.
The conditions for which Medical Aid was summoned by Mid-wives up to 31st March has been summarised by Dr. Bullough and were as follows:—
| Conditions. | No. of Notices received. | Conditions. | No. of Notices received. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prolonged or difficult labour | 10 | ||
| Ruptured Perineum | 6 | Gastric pains | 1 |
| Discharging Eyes or Ophthal-mia Neonatorum | 4 | Prolapse of cord | 1 |
| Slight Convulsions | 1 | ||
| Ante-partum Haemorrhage | 3 | Haemorrhage from Bowels | 1 |
| Puerperal Pyrexia | 2 | Pleurisy | 1 |
| Dangerous feebleness of Infant | 2 | ||
| Total | 32 | ||
The reasons for summoning Medical Aid during the remainder of the year were:-
| Pregnancy:— | Puerperium:— | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ante-partum Haemorrhage | 4 | Rise of temperature | 3 |
| Hyperemesis | 1 | Weakness of Mother | 1 |
| Albuminuria | 1 | Vomiting | 1 |
| Bronchitis | 1 | ||
| Total | 7 | Total | 5 |