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110
Breast Feeding Clinic.
The value of breat feeding in the rearing of infants as compared with
artificial feeding is of course obvious. The number of mothers who either refuse to
breast feed their infants or are unable to do so is considerable.
There is no reason to doubt that a large percentage of the cases of failure
to breast feed is due to a mental attitude rather than to the poor physical condition
of the mother.
The functions of a breast feeding clinic are to encourage mothers to breast
feed during the period of lactation and to assist in maintaining breast feeding
where there is evidence to show that the likelihood of continuing natural feeding
is doubtful.
Every mother and child in this category is an individual problem needing
systematic personal observation and attention. It is difficult to give the attention
necessary in these cases at the infant welfare sessions, notwithstanding that
attempts are made to estimate the sufficiency of the breast milk supply of the
mother by test feeding.
I therefore recommend the inclusion of a breast feeding clinic as a feature
of the Centre, although a specially appointed clinic is not indicated inasmuch
as the facilities of the infant welfare centre could be placed at the disposal of the
infant welfare centres in the Borough desiring to refer patients for advice and help
on these matters. With regard to the professional duties to be performed, these
I suggest could be undertaken by the Health Visitor to be appointed for the
infant welfare centre and ancillary clinics.
Child Guidance Clinic.
It will be appreciated that there is a percentage of the child population
who fall within the description of " difficult children." Some of these children
present problems in behaviour, others suffer from functional neuroses such as
night terrors and bed-wetting, while others still are affected with disorders of
sleep and speech.
Treatment of these cases is important to prevent them from becoming
social misfits, and to be successful such children require medical supervision accompanied
by a complete understanding of their troubles, their home conditions and
family environment. This is a task for a doctor who is experienced in pediatrics
and possesses a knowledge of psychiatry and psychology.
In making this suggestion for the establishment of a child guidance clinic
I do not anticipate that a session held more often than once a month will be
required for these cases.
In this case also there would be no call for special accommodation in the
building or the need for any particular equipment, the only expenditure arising
in this proposal being the Medical Officer's fee of say one-and-a-half guineas for a
session of approximately two hours' duration.
Health Propaganda. (Exhibition and Lecture Room.)
The trend of present-day development of the public health service is to
bring more prominently into view the importance of propaganda as a means of
disseminating knowledge of diseases and the principles of hygiene and healthy
living.
The methods usually employed for this purpose are the distribution of
literature, film displays and lectures.
In Camberwell, these activities, apart from individual teaching given by
the Officers of the Public Health Department and Voluntary Association Infant