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
Wanstead and Woodford 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wanstead and Woodford]
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Care of Mothers and Young Childre.
Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Services.
The following table summarises the attendances of the Ante -nata Clinic, 118 Hermon Hill, Wanstead: —
| Ante-Natal | Post-natal | Gynæcological | Birth Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| 781 | 13 | 19 | 244 |
Vital Statistics.
These are given in Section A of this report. The birth rate of 12.4
is below that for England and Wales. The infant mortality rate was 14.2
the lowest on record for the Borough, as against 29.6 for England and
Wales, and the neo-natal mortality rate was 7.8 per 1,000 live births.
The deaths of infants under one year were: —
| Males | Females | Total | Rate per 1,000 Live Births | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legitimate | 3 | 7 | 10 | 13.6 |
| Illegitimate | — | 1 | 1 | 33.3 |
21 Stillbirths were notified, giving a stillbirth rate of 26.6 per 1.000
total births and 0.34 per 1,000 population.
Care of Premature Infants.
During 1951, 22 premature infants were born to residents of
Borough, 12 of these births taking place at home and 10 in hospital or
nursing home. Of those born at home 11 were alive at the end of one
month; 8 of the 10 born in hospital or private nursing home survived.
Child Welfare Centres
These figures were made up as follows:
| Baptist Church Hall, Aldersbrook | 1906 |
| Ashton Playing Fields, Woodford Bridge | 2496 |
| St. Barnabas Church Hall, Snakes Lane | 1317 |
| Fullers Road, South Woodford | 4192 |
| Cromwell Hall, Nightingale Lane, Wanstead | 3945 |
| Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford | 3440 |
| TOTAL | 17,296 |
Provision of Nuitrients and Medicaments
The supply of nutrients and medicaments in accordance with the
County Council's scheme and the facilities provided by the Ministry of
Food for the distribution of orange juice, cod liver oil and Vitamin A and
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