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
Brentford and Chiswick 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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All undergo a thorough examination at their first visit and
advice is given as to the general hygiene and diet of pregnancy.
During the early period they are asked to attend once a month
and during the last month they are seen each week.
Cases requiring more attention attend more often and some
may be referred to their doctor or hospital. Those who do not
attend the clinic when expected are visited by a nurse. 543
ante-natal visits were made during the year.
All are invited to attend the post-natal clinic after their
confinement, and I can only repeat the remarks I have made in
previous reports, that it is found that unless there is some
obvious or troublesome condition present, mothers do not avail
themselves of this offer, and I continue to hope that, as so few
attended, the confinements during the year were not accompanies
by any detrimental effects upon the mother.
All mothers bringing their children to the Maternity arid
Child Welfare Clinics are questioned as to any possible disability
since their confinements.
The following table indicates certain conditions found and who they were dealt with:—
| Dental cases 124 | Sent to Dental Clinic. | |
| Leucorrhoea | 15 | Treated in clinic. |
| Small measurements | 7 | Careful observation kept. In |
| one case only was there dispro | ||
| portion and this was sent to | ||
| Hospital for induction of early | ||
| labour. | ||
| Malpresentation:— | ||
| Breech | 8 | Six corrected in Clinic. |
| Transverse | 3 | Corrected in Clinic. |
| Twin pregnancies | 3 | Two X-Rayed at Hospital. |
| Threatened miscarriage | 3 | Treated in Clinic. One aborted |
| Retroverted gravid uterus | 1 | Treated in Clinic. |
| Antipartum haemorrhage | 1 | Sent to Hospital as placenta praevia. |
| Anencephalic Foetus | 1 | X-Rayed at Hospital. |
| Albuminuria—Marked | 7 | Treated in Clinic; 4 sent to Hospital. |
| Mild | 56 | Treated in Clinic. |
| High Blood Pressure | 5 | Treated in Clinic; 1 sent to Hospital. |