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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Scabies Clinic.
The total number of attendances at the Clinic for treatment of scabies and other skin conditions during 1947 was 1,767. Details of the cases were as follows:—
Scabies | First Visits 198, Re-attendances | 291, | Total 489 |
Other skin conditions | „ „ 164 „ | 586 | „ 750 |
Verminous heads | „ „ 327 „ | 201 | „ 528 |
Baths | 222 |
Attendances at the Cleansing Station decreased during 1947. The total number—
1,989—compares with a total number of 3,978 in 1946.
The drop in the number of persons treated for scabies or vermin infestation was
extremely satisfactory, and is to be considered a genuine improvement in the incidence of
these cases, as there were continuous inspections of school children in the schools at least
once every term, and sometimes twice during the same term, which gives a fairly good
check on adult infestation, as cases found to be affected are followed up and adult contacts
persuaded to attend for cleansing.
Ambulance Service.
During 1947 the ambulance vehicles were stationed at Salisbury Road Civil Defence
Depot, and were manned by specially appointed driver-attendants.
This service was provided free by the Southall Borough Council, and was very much
appreciated by the general public. During the two years that this free service was provided,
the number of cases moved increased steadily. In 1947 the total number of cases removed
was 5,800 compared with 5,470 in 1946.
All users of the civil ambulance service were expected to produce a medical certificate
to justify the free use of the ambulance.
Details of the work of this service are as follows:—
T able B
Ordinary cases removed to hospital or home | 4,300 |
Accidents | 483 |
Other removals | 860 |
Mutual assistance provided for other Local Authorities | 157 |
Total | 5,800 |
Miles travelled in the period 43,383
Poor Law Medical Relief.
The Relieving Officer issued 423 Medical Orders during 1947. Some of these cases
also received outdoor relief or institutional treatment.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE
Health Visiting.
During 1947 the Southall Borough Council provided the services of eight health visitors
for the purpose of home visiting and clinic attendance. The Borough was divided into eight
districts, and each health visitor was responsible for one of these areas, with the duty of
visiting and advising expectant mothers, mothers of young children, and studying the
welfare of infants and school children. As far as possible, each visitor was allocated clinics
to which the mothers and children of her own district attended so that definite contact could
be kept. The schools in Southall were also divided up amongst the health visitors so that,
as far as possible, each health visitor would have direct contact with the teachers of the
school children of her own area. The work also included the following up of infectious
diseases in her area ; the following up of defaulters from Dental and Ophthalmic Clinics,
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