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increased owing to the demand for labour on textile
materials owing to the war but it is satisfactory to note
that the Health Visitors still report the same anxiety as
was previously noted amongst the mothers to continue
breast-feeding their infants.
Systematic issue of cards of advice at the time of the
visit, and the giving of personal suggestions as to the
clothing and treatment of mother and infant, are carefully
maintained. The importance of bringing children
to the weighing centre immediately upon anything wrong
being noticed is urgently impressed upon all mothers,
and each Health Visitor spends a busy afternoon weekly
at No. 3, St. James's Road, for the purpose of examining
and weighing infants and making proper records of their
progress. On these occasions simple suggestions are
made as to the general treatment of infants, but proper
medical supervision at the centre is urgently required,
and, I trust, will soon be available.
2,228 visits were paid by mothers with their infants
to these consultations, this number representing 654
individual children. From the North and East Wards
1,268 visits were made by 414 mothers, an average
attendance of three times each. From the South and
West Wards 240 mothers made 960 visits, an average of
four attendances each, the greatest number of attendances
made by any one mother being fifteen.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Public Health
Committee for their support and encouragement and my
brother officers for their kind assistance and co-operation.
I have the honour to be,
Sir and Gentlemen,
Your very obedient servant,
GEORGE PADDOCK BATE