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 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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Treatment.
Cases of acute illness, and of chronic illness, where indicated, were referred to their own doctors for treatment. For certain illness the following arrangements were in operation with London and local hospitals:—
| Defect | Hospital |
|---|---|
| Tonsils and adenoids | Hillingdon County Hospital and King Edward Hospital, Ealing. |
| Orthopaedic conditions | North Road School Clinic. |
| Ophthalmic „ | North Road School Clinic. |
| Rheumatic „ | Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, W.C. |
| Child guidance | West End Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Welbeck Street, W.I. |
| Deafness | Metropolitan Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital. |
In cases where defects were discovered the health visitors kept families under observation,
making enquiries to see if the treatment recommended was accepted and if it had not
been obtained to help the parents, or, in some cases, to persuade them to seek a remedy
for the defect.
Voluntary Workers.
The work done by members of the Voluntary Workers' Association at the various
clinics was of great assistance to the Health Department staff and the fact that these ladies
were always willing to give so generously of their time and energies has been most warmly
appreciated, and it is to be hoped that their valuable services will be obtainable and even
expanded under the new regime.
Remedial Exercises.
Two afternoon sessions of special Margaret Morris movement exercises were held
each week at the Branch Health Centre, part of each session being devoted to remedial
exercises for children and the other part for exercises for expectant and nursing mothers.
This clinic is of considerable value for children with mild degrees of bone deformity,
i.e., knock knees, bow legs, flat feet, etc. Minor forms of these complaints are treated
experimentally by means of wedging of shoes and corrective exercises. If good results are
being obtained, there is then no need for a specialist's advice, the services of the specialist
thus being available for more serious cases.
The attendances during the year are tabulated below:—
| Infants | Mothers | |
|---|---|---|
| First visits | 24 | 10 |
| Re-attendances | 208 | 29 |
Health Propaganda.
At clinics, in the homes, in the nurseries, in the hospital, and in the schools there was
a continual and persistent education in health matters in progress; children learnt the
reasons for being clean, for having correct diet, and how to prevent disease, and parents
were advised about these things and in more detail the dangers of dirty homes, unsound and
badly-cooked food, housefly and vermin infestation, the importance of sleep and a regular
life for young children, and so on.
Health posters supplied by the Ministry of Food, Central Council for Health Education
and other educative bodies were displayed on the Council's posterboards and in clinics and
libraries.
Mothercraft sessions were held at both clinics where mothers were given talks on the
principles of health, hygiene, infant feeding, etc., and instruction as to making of infant
garments and the cooking of food for young children.
The scheme whereby infants at one year received a greeting card with a reminder that
anti-diphtheria immunisation should now be undertaken, was continued during 1947.
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