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28
INFANT CONSULTATIONS.
The work of Infant Consultations has continued
on the same lines as heretofore, that is, the individual
instruction of the mother by the doctor or health
visitor.
A few observations by one of the Medical Officers
will be of interest:—
Dr. E. F. Iredell writes:—
" There has been quite a considerable attendance of small
children under five years, and it appears as though to some
extent the ex-baby is the Cinderella of the family. Many
causes—chiefly, perhaps, the inevitable limitations of one
woman—mother though she be—combine to bring this about.
One cause, however, is the idea, too widely spread, that after
1½ to 2 years a child does not require a midday rest. In
consequence of this, the little three-year-old is put to bed at
about 6.30 p.m. too exhausted in mind and body to settle down
to rest quickly. The mother then perhaps thinks that if put
to bed later he would go to sleep more quickly, and acts upon
this. The result is that the child's hours of rest are seriously
curtailed and one of the cheapest essentials of life is stinted
with disastrous results."
E. F. Iredell.
MATERNITY CLINIC.
This is open every Wednesday and Thursday
morning.
Particulars of attendances :—
Total.
Expectant Mothers—first visits 401 1014
,, ,, subsequent visits 613
Mothers recently confined—first visits 126 205
„ „ „ subsequent visits 79
The number of sessions was 105, and the average
attendance per session was 11.6. On the average the
expectant mothers attended 2.5 times, and recently
confined mothers 1.6 times.