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
Barnes 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnes]
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58
During the year notifications were received in respect of 289
births, and of these 49 were notified by medical practitioners, 239
by midwives, and 1 by a person other than a doctor or midwife.
Still-Births.
There were 2 still-births notified during 1937, representing 0.7
per cent. of the total births occurring in the area in the year. An
enquiry was made into both cases.
Of the total number of "nett" births assignable to the district,
namely, 375; live births numbered 365, and still-births 10. Of
the 10 still-births, 4 were male and 6 female; two of these were
illegitimate.
The proportion of still-births was 2.7 per cent, of the total "nett"
births.
HOME-VISITING.
Three whole-time Health Visitors, who are specially qualified
for the purpose, undertake the home-visiting in connection with
maternity and child welfare work.
In carrying out these duties the Health Visitors have made special home-visits in connection with various matters, in addition to their visits to all newly-born infants among the working classes, and a summary of the work performed by them during the year is given below:—
| Year 1936. | Year 1937. | |
|---|---|---|
| Visits to expectant mothers | 151 | 401 |
| First visits to newly-born infants | 291 | 352 |
| Revisits to infants under 1 year | 1,059 | 1,646 |
| Visits to children aged 1 to 5 years | 1,873 | 2,857 |
| Still-birth inquiries | 5 | 2 |
| Special visits to opthalmia cases | 4 | 1 |
| „ ,, ,, puerperal fever cases | 1 | 1 |
| „ ,, „ cases of measles | 734 | 161 |
| ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, whooping cough | 58 | 203 |
| ,, „ ,, „ ,, pneumonia | 12 | 38 |
| Visits to foster children | 291 | 444 |
| Visits in connection with infectious diseases other than those above specified | 719 | 1,604 |
| Total visits | 5,198 | 7,710 |
In my Annual Report for 1935 I expressed the opinion that visits
to children aged one to five years should be much more numerous
than it had been found possible to undertake in the past with the staff
employed, and that in the interest of the health of these children it
should be possible to arrange for systematic periodical home-visiting