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 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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in respect of home and economic conditions where such is known
to the Relieving Officers. The tuberculosis file is investigated
to ascertain if the foster-mother and her family are free from
tuberculosis. The foster-mother is informed that she must comply,
if registered, with all rules under the Act and of the Council,
including the provision of separate sleeping accommodation for
the child and of a fireguard. She must also attend an Infant
Welfare Centre where the child is under school age.
Registered foster-mothers are visited in their homes by the
Health Visitors every two months.
During the year 1932
| Number of applications for registration as foster-mothers | 40 |
| Number of applications passed by the Council | 28 |
| Number of applications refused by the Council | 3 |
| Number of applications withdrawn | 9 |
| Number of visits paid to the Homes by the Health Visitor: | |
| (a) First visits | 83 |
| (b) Total visits | 461 |
| Number of Foster-parents on the Register. | |
| (a) At the beginning of 1932 | 55 |
| (b) At the end of 1932 | 65 |
| Number of Foster-children who died during 1932 | None |
In no case were legal proceedings taken during the year.
Twenty-nine cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were notified
to the Medical Officer of Health during 1932, of whom five were
non-resident in West Ham but born in institutions in the Borough.
Of these 29 cases, 16 were treated in hospital; 7 being treated in
the institution in which they were born, and 9 transferred to a
special hospital for cases of ophthalmia neonatorum. Any infant
suffering from ophthalmia neonatorum can be admitted, with the
mother, immediately to hospital if such treatment is required. The
Health Visitor visits the infant's home weekly until the condition
of the eyes is satisfactory.
OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
126