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be hoped for in an industrial and overcrowded district such as Southall and it is reasonable
to suggest that the persistent propaganda and help in ante-natal care, the increase in
midwifery facilities and infant welfare services have brought it about that Southall can
boast of an infant mortality rate for 1946 which compares with some of the best world rates.
For details of causes of death of infants in the year, see Appendix, Table VII.
Premature Infants.
Seventy-two infants were born prematurely during the year of whom 60 survived
at the end of one month.
Arrangements have been made in accordance with Ministry of Health circular 20/44
for the provision of equipment to be supplied to the homes where premature infants have
been born, and the equipment includes draught-proof cots, electric blankets, hot water
bottles, mucus catheters, thermometers, etc. Arrangements were also made to obtain
supplies of breast milk at short notice from the Queen Charlotte Hospital in cases where
the mother's milk is insufficient for the infant for whom breast milk is absolutely essential.
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality.
During the year 8 cases of puerperal pyrexia were notified, but no maternal death
and no deaths associated with abortion. Seven of the cases occurred in institutions.
GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES IN THE BOROUGH
Nursing in the Home.
General Nursing :
The local District Nursing Association provides three nurses in the district for the
home nursing of cases of ordinary sickness and accidents.
During 1946 the total number of visits made by the nurses was 9,807. A certain
number of these patients were referred to the Nursing Association from the Maternity and
Child Welfare Clinics.
It must be noted that the services of the District Nurses are being used to an increasing
extent throughout the year. The increase in 1946 was 300 over the 1945 figure.
The Council makes a monetary grant towards the service generally, and a specific
grant per visit to toddlers treated under the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
Infectious Disease {Measles).
The Health Visitors act if need be as nurses in the case of measles outbreaks. No
call was made on their services during the year.
Clinics and Treatment Centres.
The services provided in the district are shown in Appendix, Table I.
A report on the work in the Diphtheria Prevention Clinic is given on page 17.
The Council affords facilities to all medical men practising in the district for the
examination of pathological specimens. This work is carried out by the Ministry of Health
Emergency Laboratory.
The following table shows the work done during the year (including work done for
the Isolation Hospital).