London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Beddington and Wallington 1944

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beddington and Wallington]

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CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOCICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Special work of this nature is carried out when required at the
Counties Public Health Laboratories.
Routine examinations of milk and water samples continue to be
done in the Public Health Laboratory established in 1937 at the Town
Hall, Wallington, under the supervision of the Medical Officer of
Health.
NUTRITION.
On the whole, the nutritional standards of the population, as
shown by mothers, infants and young children, appear to have been
fairly well maintained, but there have been a number of mild cases
of Avitaminosis D (rickets)' seen in children who have possibly not
received enough cod liver oil or have failed to get enough sunshine.
In this connection, benefit has already been noted from attendance
at the Solarium and when parents can once more take their children
to the seaside in the summer fewer cases of Avitaminosis D are likely
to be encountered.
Several cases of Infantile Scurvy were observed during the year
in children who, while being bottle-fed, had not received enough
orange juice or other form of Vitamin C. These cases quickly
responded to Vitamin C tablets.
The relative scarcity of animal food owing to the rationing since
war conditions is to some extent reflected in the flabby muscles and
poor appetite of children of the toddler class. There is bound to be
an improvement when rationing of important foodstuffs is no longer
necessary.
SHELL FISH (MOLLUSCAN).
Only a small quantity of shell fish is marketed in the district, and
is obtained chiefly from Billingsgate Market, London.
ADOPTIVE ACTS AND BYELAWS.
The following Acts have been adopted: —
Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act, 1890, Parts I, II and III.
Public Health Acts (Amendment) Act, 1907, Parts I to VI and
VIII to X.
Private Street Works Act, 1892.
Public Health Act, 1925.
Public Libraries Acts, 1892-1919.
Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts, 1899-1923.
Byelaws in respect to the following are in force: —
Good Rule and Government.
Removal of House Refuse.
Nuisances.
Public Sanitary Conveniences.
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