[Report 1970-1972] / Medical Officer of Health, Haslemere U.D.C.

  • Haslemere (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1972
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1970-1972] / Medical Officer of Health, Haslemere U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/126 (page 9)
    The major defects discovered were Verminous heads 32, minor injuries (cuts, etc.) l4, impetigo 10 and general medical conditions 4l. Almost every case of infestation and of contagious or infectious disease was discovered and treatment arranged. Subsequently four clinics were opened and did excellent work in bringing these troubles under control. Verminous heads were probably the worst difficulty with impetigo a good second, ruedley, Vicarage Lane was generously offered for the purpose of a minor hr spital in which to treat evacuees whose troubles were too difficult to be treated in their billets. The staff at .uedley consisted of Dr, Beck, i iss Maynard, Voluntary Matron, Nurse Good and a cook. Nursing and domestic help was provided by the St. John Ambulance Brigade and the W.V.S. Many children were found to be unsuitable for billeting in private houses either from their habits, temperament or inability to conform to the discipline of a well ordered home. j.t was found that these children were happier when placed in groups and kept in hostels. As time went on a great number of the mothers returned to London, but in some cases they were willing to leave their children in Haslemere provided they could be satisfactorily accommodated. Hollyridge, Shepherds Kill lent itself admirably for adaptation for a residential nursery and 21 children had been admitted by the end of the first year. Without question, one of the greatest surprises was the number of ohildren subject to bed wetting. The magnitude of this problem could never have been anticipated and for many months the proper treatment and disposal of these children was one of the greatest problems. Despite all efforts to make the evacuees happy and comfortable their number was reduced to 1,084 by Christmas. It whs not until the end of 1944 that Dr. I-Iaine found time to produce his reports for the years 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1943. During that time the general health of the district had remained extremely good and there were no epidemics of infectious disease. The population was considerably above peace time standards and housing difficulties particularly overcrowding, had become an increasingly serious problem. The number of cases of scabies was greatly increased and treatment was for the most part being given in the evacuation sick bays.