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
Tottenham 1945
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]
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60
Adoption of Children (Regulation) Act, 1939 (Sec. 7).
The number of persons who gave notice of their wish to adopt
children during the year was 20 in respect of 20 children. The total
number of children under supervision at the end of the year was
eight. Number of visits paid during the year 104.
INFANT WELFARE CENTRES.
The following table shows the attendances of infants and children under five years of age at the Municipal Health Centres:—
| Centre. | Sessions. | Weighings . Infant Attendances . | New Cases. | Weighings. Over 1 year Attendances . | New Cases. | Examined by Doctor. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lordship Lane Municipal Health Centre | 250 | 6,093 | 504 | 1,870 | 36 | 1,337 |
| The Chestnuts, St. Ann's Road | 252 | 6,070 | 701 | 1,693 | 27 | 2,015 |
| Park Lane Municipal Health Centre | 100 | 4,009 | 356 | 914 | 4 | 746 |
| Town Hall | 52 | 812 | 106 | 145 | 1 | — |
| Totals—1945 | 654 | 16,984 | 1,667 | 4,622 | 68 | 4,098 |
| Totals—1944 | 663 | 16,350 | 1,534 | 3,903 | 643 | 4,242 |
I am indebted to Miss Alice King, M.D., M. R.C. P., for the
following report:—
"The last year has been quite a satisfactory one as regards
the Infant Welfare Clinics. Young mothers, especially, are
attending more regularly and are also taking a greater and
more intelligent interest in the well-being of their children.
The comparative lack of welfare facilities during the 'evacuation'
period has no doubt stimulated this increased appreciation.
"The percentage of breast-fed infants, especially first
children, has been fairly high, though the absence of many
fathers on war service and the consequent desire of the mother
to augment the family income has, in some instances, been
an adverse factor. The Municipal Day Nurseries have thus
supplied a real need.