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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Walthamstow]
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72
CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS
The action suggested in Circular 20/44 (as amended by Circular
LHAL 1/49) has been carried out as far as possible and the
steps taken were detailed in the Report for 1944. During 1956,
77 live premature infants were born to residents of the Borough,
13 at home and 64 in hospitals and nursing homes.
Of the 13 born at home, five were transferred to hospital. Of
the remaining eight who were nursed entirely at home, all survived
the first twenty-eight days of life.
CARE OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN
The action taken under Circular 2866/44 is fully set out
in the Report for that year.
Every possible step has, as in previous years, been taken to
ensure that the care of illegitimate children does not fall below
that given to children who are legitimate. The figures quoted
below give a comparison between illegitimate and legitimate rates.
Illegitimate Births and Mortality
| Year | Live Births | Infant Deaths | Death Rates per 1,000 Live Births | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legitimate | Illegitimate | Legitimate | Illegitimate | Legitimate | Illegitimate | |
| 1952 | 1,446 | 66 | 37 | Nil | 25.6 | Nil |
| 1953 | 1,404 | 50 | 40 | 1 | 28.5 | 20.0 |
| 1954 | 1,424 | 50 | 31 | 2 | 21.7 | 40.0 |
| 1955 | 1,262 | 49 | 25 | 2 | 19.8 | 40.8 |
| 1956 | 1,335 | 53 | 26 | Nil | 19.4 | Nil |
| Totals 1952 to 1956(5 years) | 6,871 | 268 | 159 | 5 | 23.1 | 18.6 |
MORAL WELFARE
The "Carville" Home, now at 43 West Avenue Road, E.17,
is administered by the Walthamstow Deanery Branch of the
Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association. The home provides
accommodation for a total of 16 mothers and their babies and
has a high record of care and service.
Miss E. A. Williams, Superintendent, submits the following
report on the work carried out during 1956:—
"May I once again express my indebtedness for the help and
co-operation of the staff of the Health Department. Their ever
ready help lightens our work, and we have had a very busy year."