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thirds in the past 20 or so years. It is, therefore, particularly
interesting to speculate how further reduction can be effected
in this loss of infant life. The fact that half of the infant
deaths occurred in the first month points to factors associated
with childbirth and pre-natal development, so that it is to
these problems that attention must be directed to secure
further improvement.
SECTION B.—HEALTH SERVICES.
Nursing in the Home. Three voluntary associations
provide nursing facilities in the District. The Council makes
an annual contribution to the funds of each and arrangements
have been agreed for nursing assistance to be available for
cases referred through the Council's Health Services.
(1) The Merton Parish Nurse Fund employs one nurse
for general nursing; no midwifery or maternity nursing is
undertaken. The district served is approximately the
ecclesiastical parish of St. Mary's. A total of 147 cases
involving 1,187 visits were attended during the year 1944;
of these 11 cases were children under 5 years of age, to whom
25 visits were made.
(2) The St. Helier District Nursing Association employs
one nurse for general nursing. No midwifery or maternity
nursing is undertaken. Its activities cover the whole of the
Merton and Morden portion of the St Helier Estate and in
addition that part situated in the Carshalton Urban District
lying to the North of Reigate Avenue.
During 1944, 226 cases were dealt with by the St. Helier
District Nursing Association, 7 of these were children under 5.
The total number of visits made was 2,047, of which 43 were
in respect of children under 5 years.
(3) The Wimbledon District Nursing Association serves
Wimbledon and the western part of this district. Two nurses
are employed for general nursing in Merton and Morden. The
figures relating to cases and visits in this district during 1944
are as follows:—
18