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 1944
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Twickenham]
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GAS AND AIR ANALGESIA
All the Corporation Municipal Midwives arc qualified to
administer gas and air analgesics, seven of the midwives having
completed the course of training during the year. One additional
apparatus was provided bringing the total to three.
SUBSEQUENT TO CONFINEMENT
Eleven cases of Puerperal Pyrexia occurred during the year,
and of these six were admitted to the West Middlesex County Hospital,
one to the North Western Hospital, the remaining cases being treated
in the institutions where they occurred. All 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 are as follows
1939 98 1942 255
1940 71 1943 263
1941 297 1944 180
One maternal death occurred in the Borough relating to a
non-resident. There were no maternal deaths of Twickenham residents.
During the year, arrangements were made in conjunction with
the Middlesex County Council for the admission of unmarried mothers
and their babies into the British Red Cross Home at Hendon. The
cost to the Borough for each patient is 35/-d. per week - the
contribution payable by the patient towards this amount being assessed
according to the Council's Scheme of Assistance.
DENTAL TREATMENT The following received dental treatment during the year:-
| 1944 | 1943 | 1942 | 1941 | 1940 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expectant mothers | 42 | 73 | 69 | 52 | 17 |
| Nursing mothers | 27 | 46 | 32 | 35 | 19 |
| Patients supplied with dentures | 53 | 71 | 55 | 37 | 39 |
| Dentures- supplied | 90 | 129 | 100 | 65 | 73 |
HEALTH VISITORS
A superintendent Health Visitor was appointed during the
year, thus bringing the total of Health Visitors to ten. The Health
Visitors carried out the duties of school nurses on behalf of the
Middlesex County Council. There is also one full-time School Nurse
employed by the Middlesex County Council. The total number of
visits paid during the year was 16,761, and included the following
visits to:-
1944 1943 1942 1914 1940
Expectant mothers 437 402 351 432 335
Children under 1 year of age 5675 5544 3921 4016 3961
„ between the ages of
1 and 5 years. 7699 7589 7137 7831 6360
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
required at minor ailment, ophthalmic and dental clinics.
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