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25
The percentage of infants under one year of age attending the
centres was 66 per cent. of the total number of notified births, which
must be regarded as a very high proportion. In 1934 this percentage
was 61.3.
Supply of Food and Medicines.
Packets of dried food, cod liver oil, cod liver oil emulsion,
Brestol and Parrish's Food, were sold at the centres, and were
supplied free in necessitous cases. Arrangements were made
whereby necessitous children needing dried food other than that
supplied at the clinics could obtain this free.
Grants of free milk were also made where necessary, application
for these being considered each month by the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee. In this connection, it will be noted, no
necessitous case is kept waiting until the Committee sits, each case
being considered and the order given by a certificate from the
Medical Officer pending the decision of the Committee.
General Remarks.
The nutrition, clothing and cleanliness of the children continued
to attain an exceedingly high standard, and attendance at the
centres was very regular.
Mothers are encouraged to bring their children to the clinics
for advice. Children found to be suffering from any pathological
condition were referred to the family doctor or hospital, a letter
giving particulars of the condition being sent with the patient.
Remarks on Pathological Condition.
The number of children found to be suffering from dental caries
was 71. (For the purposes of this report every case of caries from
the slightest degree to gross caries is included.) Dental treatment
was advised in all cases, and the children were referred to the family
dentist or to the dental clinic or in a very few cases to hospital.
Enlarged tonsils were found in 36 cases. Treatment was
advised in those cases where it was considered necessary.
Nineteen orthopaedic cases were referred to the Nelson Hospital
and one to Charing Cross Hospital. Of the nineteen cases referred
to the Nelson Hospital, seventeen actually attended.