Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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From Table 19 below, it will also be seen that last year there was a slight
increase in the total number of new infants (under 12 months of age) seen at
the Infant Welfare clinics and despite the increase 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 Wharncliffe estate.
The subjoined table shows the proportion of new infant cases attending
the clinics to the total live births in the district:—
(1) New Infant Cases | (2) Total live births | (3) 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 |
1937 | 1598 | 814 | 73 |
*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).
The toddlers' clinic which was started in October, 1936, and the details
of which were given on page 31 of the Annual Report for that year, was continued
on Wednesday mornings during 1937.
582 attendances were made, 304 of these being at the Manor House,
and 278 at the Branch centre. The results for the year are shown in the
statistical tables given below.
27