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78
unemployment is advisable or not. There is no doubt that the
children in attendance greatly benefit and the mothers who are able
to take advantage of its services much appreciate this help, but the
number so attending is admittedly small.
Minor Ailment Centre, Borough Hall.—This Centre provides
for the treatment of children from such minor ailments arising
from ear, nose or throat trouble, eczema, etc.
During the year 122 cases were dealt with, the number of
attendances being 339.
The following continue their good work in the Borough :—
Local Medical Practitioners' School Clinic.
Health Centre, Deptford Green.
Rachel McMillan Memorial Nursery School.
Albany Institute Infant Consultation and Babies' Home.
Deptford Fund Babies' Home.—During the year 31 children
were admitted for treatment in this Home, for varying periods of
time. Two of the children unfortunately died and the other 29
were discharged much improved by their stay in the Home.
The Day Nursery in connection with the Deptford Fund was
closed in September and has not yet been re-opened, it being realised
that during this time of exceptional unemployment in the District,
when the mothers themselves went out to work, they had not the
means to pay for the care of the children in the Day Nursery, and
further than that it generally occurred that the father or grown-up
sons were out of work, and they had to undertake the duties of
looking after the children in their own home.
Baby Shows were held in September under the direction of a
Special Committee consisting of the members of the Maternity and
Child Welfare Committee of the Council, together with the Mayor
and Mayoress and a number of well-known local ladies. Competitions
took place at each of the four Centres, the total entries
numbering about 350. As in previous years the entrants at each
Centre were divided into three age groups, as follows :—
Three to nine months.
Nine to eighteen months.
Eighteen months to five years.
Prizes were awarded for the best babies in each group and special
prizes were also given for the best pairs of twins. We were again
indebted to several local medical men and women and to the
Maternity and Child Welfare Medical Officers of neighbouring