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

Twickenham 1943

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Twickenham]

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GAS AND AIR ANALGESIA
One of the Corporation Municipal Midwives became qualified
to administer gas and air analgesics and the necessary apparatus was
provided so that she could administer analgesia in suitable cases.
Arrangements were made for the other Municipal Midwives to receive
training in analgesics but the courses of training were not completed
during the year,
SUBSEQUENT TO CONFINEMENT
Eighteen cases of puerperal pyrexia occurred during the
year, and of these, six patients wore admitted to the West Middlesex
County Hospital, one to Teddington Hospital, ten were in a nursing
home, and fine was treated at homo. All the patients recovered.
No application was received during the year for the
services of a consultant in a case of puerperal pyrexia,
Post-natal care is carried out at the ante-natal clinics,
and mothers are urged to attend. The numbers attending are as
follows:-
1939 98 1942 255
1940 71 1943 263
19,41 297
The increase is largely due to the work of the midwives
and health visitors.
One maternal death occurred in the Borough relating to
a non-resident. but six maternal deaths of Twickenham residents
took place in institutions outside the district, The causes of
death in the latter cases were
3 from sepsis
3 from other causes.
DENTAL TREATMENT

Table: The following received dental treatment during the year:-

The following received dental treatment during the year:-

1943194219411940
Expectant mothers72625217
Nursing mothers46323319
Patients supplied with dentures71553739
Dentures supplied1291006573

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HEALTH VISITORS

Table: One additional Health Visitor was engaged during the year so making a total of nine. They also carry out the duties of school nurses on behalf of the Middlesex County Council, Their visits include the following:—

One additional Health Visitor was engaged during the year so making a total of nine. They also carry out the duties of school nurses on behalf of the Middlesex County Council, Their visits include the following:—

1943194219411940
To expectant mothers402354432338
To children under 1 year of age5544392140163961
To children between the ages of 1 and. 5 years7589713778346360

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Visits were also paid to children of school age in cases
of suspected infectious disease, and to follow up those recommended
for medical treatment or observation. The Health Visitors also
attended as required, at minor ailment, ophthalmic and dental clinics,
SUMMER SCHOOL
Two Health Visitors attended the Summer School for Health
Visitors and School Nurses, held at Newnham College, Cambridge,
-12-