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 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for West Ham]
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Table XVII.
Children's Hospital, Balaam Street, Plaistow. Babies' Ward.
Deaths 1937.
| Cause of death. | Under one year. | Over one year. | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumonia | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Bronchitis | 3 | — | 3 |
| Gastro-enteritis | 9 | — | 9 |
| Marasmus | 9 | — | 9 |
| Eczema | 1 | — | 1 |
| Diabetes | 1 | — | 1 |
| Prematurity | 1 | — | 1 |
| Pyloric stenosis | 1 | — | 1 |
| Tuberculous meningitis | 1 | — | 1 |
| Totals | 30 | 1 | 31 |
CONVALESCENCE OF MOTHERS, CHILDREN AND INFANTS.
(a) Mothers. Four beds are reserved by the Council for the
use of nursing mothers with their young infants, three at "Child
Haven," Brentwood, Essex, by agreement with the West Ham
Central Mission, and one at "The London Mothers' Convalescent
Home," Sunningdale, Berks. The mothers are admitted throughout
the whole year, each mother having a period of two weeks'
convalescence.
The majority of the mothers are recommended for this
treatment by the medical officers of the clinics, or by the health
visitors. A detailed report is received from the matron of the
home on the discharge of each mother. This report gives
information regarding the progress of both mother and infant
while they were in residence.
During 1937 it was possible to send away under this scheme
90 mothers with their infants, of whom 69 went to "Child Haven,"
and 21 to Sunningdale.
(b) Children. Children under five years of age are referred for
convalescence through the Medical Officer of Health to the Invalid
Children's Aid Association, and the Invalid and Crippled
Children's Society, by whom the children are admitted to approved
convalescent homes. In addition the Council retains 20 beds at
236