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VOLUNTARY HELPERS.
We are much indebted to the many ladies who give most
valuable assistance at the Beckenham Welfare Centres. At all
Centres there is a band of volunteers who attend regularly and
undertake a great deal of work which makes it possible for the
nurses to concentrate on giving advice and instruction to mothers.
PREMATURE INFANTS.
During the year 23 infants were born in the Borough weighing
less than five and a half pounds. Weight at birth cannot be regarded
as the sole criterion of prematurity, but the Ministry of
Health's Circular regarding the care of premature infants suggests
that infants whose weight at birth is less than five and a half pounds
should be regarded as premature and in need of the special methods
of care recommended.
Of these 23 infants, 2 were born at home and 21 in Institutions.
Born at home 2
Nursed entirely at home 2
Died during the first 24 hours Nil
Alive at the end of one month 2
Born in institutions 21
Died during the first 24 hours 5
Alive at the end of one month 16

From this is would appear that, with skilled attention, infants
who are not more than six weeks premature and whose weight at
birth is not below three and a half pounds have an excellent chance
of survival.
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