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to domestic and personal hygiene have to be considered
so that training in the public health work is
important. Training as a nurse and as a midwife is
required in connection with the health and ailments
of women and children. Knowledge of special branches
of medicine or surgery, infectious diseases, diseases of
women and children, are of great use, and experience
in social work is of value if the medical work is to be
supplemented by that of other agencies. On and after
the 1st April, 1928, the appointment of a woman for
the first time as a Health Visitor to a Local Authority
will not be approved by the Ministry of Health unless
(1) she is a trained nurse who has obtained the Certificate
of the Central Midwives' Board and has completed
an approved course of training in public health
work lasting at least six months ; or (2) she has undergone
an approved course of training of two years
duration, together with six months training in hospital
and has obtained the Certificates of the Central Midwives
Board.
The above mentioned qualifications are necessary
for candidates for the new Certificate in Heath Visiting
approved by the Ministry of Health.
The qualifications of the Health Visitors in the
Council's Service are stated on page 4.
During the year under review the visits paid by
the Health Visitors were as follows
Firsts visits to infants 2,753
Re-visits to infants 11,212
Re-visits to children aged 1 to 5 years old 9,897
Visits to cases of ophthalmia neonatorum 29
„ „ measles 2,444
,, ,, pneumonia 57
„ „ diarrhoea 44
,, „ puerperal fever 11
Other visits 467
The Maternity and Child Welfare Centres are
carried on by a voluntary committee and the Council
contributes £500 a year, one half of which is repaid
to the Council by the Ministry of Health. The Council