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64
Extension of the work in the following directions is urgently
necessary—
Centres.—Reports from the Centres show that the work
carried out is meeting a great need, but that the Centres are inadequate
for the work required. There are too few Centres,
which results in overcrowding, and at Northwold Road Infant
Welfare Centre there is particular need for an additional Clinic,
and for an Ante-natal Clinic at the same Centre.
Infectious Disease.—No attempt can be made under present
conditions to control non-notifiable infectious disease, such as
Measles, Whooping Cough and Epidemic Diarrhoea, which are
responsible for so great an infant mortality. The school
authorities forwarded notifications during the year of 1,882 children
absent from school on account of Measles, and 723 children
absent on account of Whooping Cough.
It is practically impossible to attempt the routine visiting
of these cases. Only urgent cases brought tp notice can be
dealt with. The King's Home for Nurses renders the greatest
assistance in regard to these urgent cases, but if one compares
the number assisted in this way with the number reported from
schools (and school age is much less dangerous than infancy
as regards Measles), it is evident that this disease alone requires
further measures to bring about any degree of control.
The Health Visiting Staff is barely able to carry out the duties
as regards notification of births and Centre work, and any additional
duties would mean the relinquishing of work now being
performed.
During the past year 45 deaths occurred from Measles, but
the deaths convey only a slight indication of the amount of
damage caused by Measles treated under unfavourable conditions.