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
West Ham 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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Health Visiting.
As previous!)' stated, visits are paid at regular intervals to
infants and children under 5. Advice is given as to feeding,
clothing and general management. Home circumstances are
noted, and in necessitous cases the mothers are advised where
they may obtain help. Much useful work is done by visiting
expectant mothers in their homes: the Health Visitor arranges
for the Home Help, and is responsible for the cleanliness and efficiency
of the person selected. Special visits and enquiries are
made into the causes of all infant deaths up to 5 years of age, all
stillbirths, and all maternal deaths directly attributable to childbirth.
In addition, she has to visit at least once a week, and
report upon every case of Ophthalmia or of Pemphigus Neonatorum.
Any special case, e.g., Puerperal Fever or Pyrexia, must
be visited frequently, also any case or series of cases where
special investigation is necessary.
| (1) To Expectant Mothers:— | |
| (a) First Visits | 1602 |
| (b) Total Visits | 1847 |
| (2) To Infants under one year:— | |
| (a) First Visits | 4017 |
| (b) Total Visits | 17730 |
| (3) To children 1—5 years :— | |
| Total | 18810 |
| (4) Special visits (Home Helps, Medical Aids, etc.) | 8422 |
| Total visits paid by Health Visitors | 52,428 |
Hospital Accommodation.
The Council does not possess a Municipal Hospital for
Maternity or Infant work, but agreements have been made
whereby subsidies are granted to Queen Mary's Hospital,
Stratford; St. Mary's Hospital, Plaistow; and Plaistow Maternity
Charity, for the treatment of cases.
The Forest Gate Sick Home, belonging to the West Ham
Guardians, has a Maternity Block where a large number of women
are confined, including single girls.
Orthopaedic work is carried on at the Children s Hospital, Balaam Street, Plaistow.
| Maternity Homes. | No. of beds | No. of cases | Weeks spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Queen Mary's Hospital | 10 | 413 | 794 |
| 2. Plaistow Maternity Charity | 10 | 552 | 1229 |