DOCTOR WHO?
I met a good friend of mine in the High Street a few weeks ago. He told me that he had been looking
round the library garden (hands up those who didn’t know the library had a garden), and was
interested in the memorial there (more hands please). He had been inside the library to make
inquiries as to who/what it commemorated, but they couldn’t tell him, neither could the museum in
Kingston. Fortunately I was able to help him out.
OUR DOCTOR HELEN
The memorial is to a local doctor. Dr (Dulcie) Helen Lukis who ran a surgery two doors down from
the library at 52 Kingston Road with Drs Gerald and Christopher Petit. Known locally as “Our Doctor
Helen”, she had a surgery in Malden for 18 years (1926-1944). Every patient that she saw was not
just a case but a person in whom she took a great interest. She built up a large practice at “the
Gables” (now a block of flats) covering all levels of society. Blessed with a cheery personality and an
ability to make her patients her friends, no problem was too large (or small) for her to take an
interest. A wonderful ability to bring comfort to all who were in need, she seemed to be always
happy, looking on the bright side of any situation however bleak.
One of her labours of love was to build up the local branch of the St John Ambulance Brigade, but
this indirectly led to a heart attack, and she retired from the profession. The onset of war and the
lack of practitioners brought her back. During the early days of the war she was in charge of the
mobile first aid unit in Burlington Road, and dealt with the aftermath of the bombings in 1940.
Unfortunately, she became seriously ill in January 1944.After three operations, and much time spent
in hospital, she was aware that she had no hope of recovery, but even before she died at the young
age of 43 in September, she was still the same optimistic person, although her illness was long and
painful.
Dr Lukis was also a surgeon at the Kingston Victoria Hospital, and the Malden Branch of Springfield
Hospital. She was Divisional Chairman of the Kingston Branch of the BMA, and served on many
subcommittees. Tremendously well read, with interests in gardening, dancing, and stamp collecting.
The affection in which she was held was shown at her funeral at Old Malden Church where over 70
wreaths were received.
Later her patients subscribed to have the monument erected in her memory.
VICTORIAN DISEASES AND CURES
New Malden first doctor Edwin Child was born in Hurstbourne Tarrant (Hampshire) in 1842. The son
of William Child, a stationer for the law profession, he attended the historic Derby School, and was
an apprentice to his uncle Dr Samuel Fearn, the senior surgeon at Derby Infirmary. He qualified for
his LSA in 1864 at Charing Cross Hospital, and became a MRCS the following year. After serving as
house surgeon at Charing Cross for a short while, he was invited to set up practice in New Malden in
1865 by the Rev Charles Stirling who had recently arrived in the village, as vicar of the soon to be
built parish church, and who had known Mr Child for a number of years.
Child joined the Local Board (which was the forerunner of the Council) in January 1869, and
remained a member until June 1873 when he resigned, enabling him to become the Medical Officer
Of Health the same day, at a salary of £10 a year. The Board had been compelled to make an
appointment for this position under the Public Health Act of 1872.
There were many diseases to which children in the local area were susceptible, such as hooping
cough, chicken pox, diphtheria or scarlet fever, and it was commonplace for an epidemic of measles
to break out causing the local schools to be shut down. Such diseases could be fatal and infected
children were not allowed to return to school unless they had a certificate of health. Half of the
deaths in the local area occurred to children under five. Some were born prematurely, and mothers
were unable to provide the sustenance they needed to survive.
As there was no infectious disease hospital in the area in which Malden had a share, all the family in
the properties had to be vaccinated, and the houses disinfected with the bedding having to be
baked.
DAMPNESS PROBLEMS
Problems with drainage happened on a regular basis; for example the gardens at the back of some
properties in Cambridge Road were higher than the foundations of the houses. With no proper
drainage, after heavy rains, the sinks would overflow, and cesspits dug in the garden would rise
covering the nearby pathways. It was recommended that only water that had been filtered should
be drunk. As Malden was a notoriously damp area, there was a large amount of rheumatism, and
chest infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
By 1881 the population had risen to about 2500 living in around 500 houses. The medical officer was
responsible for all these people, he also had to undertake regular checks on the water supply,
ensuring that ditches and drains were regularly flushed. Regular inspections of bakeries, dairies, and
cowsheds were undertaken, as milk and bread supply could easily be adulterated. Epidemics of small
pox also called for weekly public vaccinations. Fortunately there were few cases of typhoid, and
none of cholera. A lot of the problems could have been avoided with better sanitation. In many
houses the cistern in which drinking water was stored was placed directly above the WC with the
same piping used for both.
Having said all this, Malden was regarded as one of the healthiest suburbs around London, with any
breakout of infectious disease being dealt with quickly and efficiently by Mr Child.
By 1891 the population had reached nearly 3500 living in around 730 properties all still the
responsibility of Mr Child. One of his suggestions which bore fruit was the dust and ashes collection
which started in 1891 (now undertaken by refuse and recycling operatives!) and improved the
sanitary state of the neighbourhood.
A SAD ACCIDENT
Not all deaths were the result of infections. Spare a thought for young Freddy Prismall. His father
Thomas was coachman to Mr Child and lived in Presburg Road. Freddy aged just 2, was playing
outside the house with his spinning top. Suddenly the handle of the top flew off, and imbedded itself
in the little boy’s eye. His screams brought out his elder sister Edith who managed to pull out the
shaft, but the damage had been done, and the boy went into convulsions. He died later that day, an
innocent boy playing an innocent game.
A MAN WOTH MANY HATS
Mr Child was the medical officer of the New Malden district of the Kingston Union, and surgeon at
the Cheam Isolation Hospital in Cuddington. He was additionally Medical Officer Of Health for New
Malden, and Divisional Surgeon to the local police.
As well as being a member of the BMA, he was a fellow of the Obstetrical Society Of London and the
British Gynaecological Society.
He advised the local Oddfellows and Foresters on matters of a medical nature and was also a referee
to several insurance societies.
Locally he was a churchwarden at Christchurch, the ruling councillor of the Malden Habitation Of the
Primrose League (a Conservative Association), and was a trustee of both the parish church and
school. He was also a vice president of Malden Wanderers Cricket Club, and the New Malden
Working Mens Conservative Association.
DEATH AND FUNERAL
He died in December 1896 aged 54 at his home Vernham House (now Fountain House), and was
buried in St John The Baptist Churchyard after a service at Christchurch at which most of the people
of New Malden attended. Additionally there were 50 members of the Oddfellows Society, 20 officers
of the local police force, some of whom carried the coffin, members of the fire brigade, and the local
workmens’ band. Also in attendance were members of the Urban District Council, and the local MP
Thomas Skewes-Cox. In all there were 20 carriages which followed the procession to Old Malden,
where the grave was covered with 60 wreaths and floral tributes.
Child was described as a “man of few words, but intense feeling” who was committed to his patients
and “thought of himself last”. No man locally was more admired, and his dedication to his vocation
went far beyond what was expected.
Two very different people, with something in common: a willingness to help the people of New
Malden far above their own call of duty, and in return they were held in great affection by the
citizens of the district.