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
Richmond upon Thames 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
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it would seem from practical experience that the young, healthy, intelligent and more
articulate girl finds herself offered the means of termination, whereas her less gifted
sister comes for aid in the last stages of pregnancy.
If one holds the view that abortion is ever right, or the answer to illegitimacy, it
would still be regrettable that the potentially more gifted and useful citizen should be
eliminated.
Total Number of Cases referred in 1969 :—
| Total | |
|---|---|
| Unsupported mothers | 110 |
Referred by
| Medical Social Workers | 40 |
| Doctors | 21 |
| Voluntary Social Workers | 11 |
| Health Visitors | 7 |
| C.A.B | 4 |
| N.C.U.M.C. | 8 |
| Children's Department | 3 |
| Parents | 2 |
| Department of Health & Social Security | 7 |
| Housing Department | |
| Welfare Department | |
| Employer | 1 |
| Self | |
| 110 |
The Mothers
| Marital Status | Domicile | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Single 104 | In area 81 | Office Workers 34 |
| Divorced 2 | Outside area 29 | Factory Workers 16 Domestic and Hotel Workers 17 |
| Separated 3 | ||
| Widowed 1 | Religion | |
| C. of E. 78 | Hairdresser 1 | |
| Education | R.C 25 | Nurses 10 |
| Sec. Mod. 93 | Free Church 5 | Students 9 |
| Grammar 3 | Buddhist 1 | Courier 1 |
| Convent 5 | Confucian 1 | Librarian 1 |
| Training | Housewives 10 | |
| College 6 | Civil Servants 4 | |
| University 3 | University Lecturers 2 | |
| Air Hostess 1 | ||
| School Girls 4 |
Ages Countries of origin
15 years 5 other than G.B.
16 „ 8 Eire 14
17 „ 7 W. Indies 2
18 „ 14 Finland 1
19 „ 16 Singapore 1
20 „ 21 S.Africa 1
21—30 yrs. 32 Australia 2
31-40 „ 7
20