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
Southall-Norwood 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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It will be noticed that there was again a rather large increase in the total
number of attendances in 1936 compared with the figure for 1935. This increase
amounts to 17 per cent. in spite of a slight fall in the total number of births.
It is encouraging that the services available in this way appear to be appreciated.
From Table 18 below, it will also be seen that last year there was a
slight decrease in the total number of new infants (under 12 months of age)
seen at the Infant Welfare clinics but, because of the decrease in live births,
there was again a slight increase in the proportion of new infants attending to
the total live births for the district. It is probable that last year not less than
two-thirds of all babies born in the district subsequently attended the Infant
Welfare clinic. This proportion is quite satisfactory and indicates the trouble
the present-day mother will take to get advice with regard to the maintenance
of her baby's health. The present centres are quite well situated with regard
to accessibility except for small areas at the extreme north end and the extreme
south-west end of the district. The former will be helped when the centre in
Jubilee Gardens is opened, although this will make an even farther journey for
those living on the Wharneliffe estate.—
The subjoined table shows the proportion of new infant cases attending
the clinics to the total live births in the district:—
Table No. 18.
| (1) | (2) | (3) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Infant Cases | Total live births | Percentage of (1) to (2)* | |
| 1931 | 337 | 657 | 51 |
| 1932 | 408 | 745 | 54 |
| 1933 | 350 | 705 | 49 |
| 1934 | 395 | 759 | 52 |
| 1935 | 563 | 809 | 69 |
| 1936 | 558 | 797 | 70 |
| *This percentage is a little in excess of the true percentage of live births subsequently attending the clinics as it includes cases born in and belonging to other districts who have since moved to Southall and attended the clinics here during their first year of life. | |||
Pre-school Medical Inspection (Toddlers' Clinics).
During the earlier part of the year a scheme for the routine medical
inspection and treatment of pre-school children was approved.
The scheme can be explained by quoting a pamphlet which is sent to
the parents of every child on the birth register at about the age of seventeen
months, together with a covering letter.
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