[Report 1932] / Medical Officer of Health, Glasgow.

  • Glasgow (Scotland)
Date:
1932
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1932] / Medical Officer of Health, Glasgow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    minor rickets to increase in volume during the winter months in certain districts of the city. Although this increase was noticeable, it was entirely confined to minor manifestations. The various Child Welfare Clinics continue to run to full capacity. A new Clinic, known as the Blawarthill Clinic, was established in Dumbarton Road to serve the growing area of Scotstoun. It is being used jointly with the Education Health Service. Collaboration between the Maternity and Child Welfare Branch and the Education Health Service under Dr. Arbuckle Brown has continued in several useful directions, as described in the text of the Report. A conservative outlook is maintained as regards the operation for the removal of tonsils and adenoids. The Orthopaedic Clinic is gradually increasing in utility as the result of experience. Its value lies in the fact that it focuses, in a central Clinic, the services of the trained physical instructor and the orthopaedic surgeon on the problem of crippling defects in school and pre-school children. It works in close association with Mearnskirk Hospital for Children and with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. It provides outdoor facilities for remedial exercises, application and readjustment of splints, and facilities for muscle re-education, correcting exercises, massage, radiant heat, and electrical treatment. A close association with the Corporation hospitals has also been arranged for the detection and treatment of mastoid affections. Among other matters are the examination of blind children at the Regional Clinic and a survey of mentally defective children at the special Clinic for this purpose. Medicines required in the treatment of school children are dispensed, if need be, in the local dispensaries of the department. Arrangements for investigation by the Public Assistance Department into the circumstances of children receiving treatment are working smoothly. Ante-Natal Consultations.—The total number of expectant mothers seeking ante-natal advice at the Corporation centres was 7,581, with 25,428 subsequent attendances, which is an increase in the primary attendances of 1,524 over the previous .year. This very substantial increase in numbers is accounted for by the operation of the rule which makes it compulsory for midwives to send their cases for ante-natal examination and treatment to a medical practitioner, and by a reduction in the numbers attending the Royal Maternity Hospital owing to difficulties of accommodation there. Fewer cases attended the Maternity Hospital—5,017, as compared with 5,947 in 1931. The full effect of the rule of the Central Midwives Board is now being felt, although it is possible that these numbers will further increase. Considerable difficulty is being experienced, and some additional assistance will be required to meet the demand.