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26
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Wards, viz.:—Southfield, Fairfield and Springfield. There were
572 children on the register at the end of 1916, the attendances
during that year were 2,472, an average attendance of 49 for 50
weeks (the Centre having been closed at Easter and Xmas).
The centre at Tooting was opened on the 30th September,
1915, at Fairlight Hall. The infant consultation is held on Thursday
afternoons. The number on the register at the end of 1916
was 460, the attendances 1,372, an average of 27.
Putney Centre was opened on the 19th January, 1916. The
consultations are at present held at Sefton Hall, on Wednesday
afternoons. The number on the register at the end of 1916 was
185, attendances were 948 in 49 weeks, an average of 20.
The Streatham Centre was opened 011 the 5th May, 1916, and
is held at Blegborough Hall on Friday afternoons. Up to the end
of 1916 there were 188 on the register, and there were 748 attendances
in 34 weeks, an average of 23 8.
The Balham Centre was opened on the 2nd July, 1916, and
is held at Zennor Hall on Wednesdays. The number on the
register at the end of 1916 was 165, the attendances being 802
during the 22 weeks, an average of 36 4.
Each Welfare Centre supplies Virol, Cod-Liver Oil and Malt,
Parrish's Food, Petroleum Emulsion, Marylebone Cream, Grey
Powders, Lactagol and dried milks, at cost price to those mothers
for whom the doctors order it. Four of the Centres have clothing
stalls where children's garments can be obtained at a low price.
Much of the clothing is sent to the Welfare Centres from New Zealand
and Australia.
The mothers are made to understand from the first that
medical advice and weighing only are free, anything in the nature
of food, drugs or clothing must be paid for.
212 attendances were made by the Health Visitors to these
Centres during the year, and seven lectures and many homelytalks
and advice being given to the mothers.