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ADOPTION OF CHILDREN (REGULATION) ACT, 1939.
The regulations under this Act came into operation in 1943.
During 1946 nine persons gave notice of reception under Section 7 (3)
of the Act.
At the close of the year 7 children were under supervision under
the Act, the Corporation being guardians ad litem.
The importance of work under this heading cannot be overemphasised,
and through its Health Visitors the Corporation is carryout
all its statutory obligations satisfactorily.
THE CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS.
The arrangements made for the care of premature infants were
continued during 1946. All equipment is kept at the District Nursing
Association, the headquarters of the local midwives, where it is ready
for immediate use when required. The majority of premature births
occurred in institutions and only 5 cases were recorded in the practice
of the domiciliary midwives. One of these cases died on the second day
and one at three months. The remaining cases responded successfully
to routine domiciliary treatment.
THE CARE OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN.
Arrangements for the care of illegitimate children, described in
previous reports, were continued throughout 1946. An annual grant
is made to the Sutton and District Girls' Aid Association, whose visitor
follows up the cases occurring in the Borough. During the year 120
visits were made by the Association.
Ladies of the Women's Voluntary Services and Health Visitors
continue to co-operate in the alleviation of the lot of these unfortunate
mothers.
DAY NURSERY.
On the 1st July, 1946, the Day Nursery which the Corporation
had operated since April, 1943, was handed over to the Surrey County
Council, to be continued under the Mid-Eastern Divisional Executive
as a Nursery School within the meaning of the 1944 Education Act.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
WATER SUPPLIES.
The water supply is piped throughout the district from the
Sutton District Water Company. During the year the supply has
been satisfactory both in quality and quantity.
It is understood that the Water Company carry out routine
bacteriological examinations of the raw and finished water daily
from the wells at Sutton and Woodmansterne, and also of the
treated water going into supply.
Routine chemical examinations are also carried out. The raw
water from the deep wells is of a relatively high degree of hardness.
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