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28
A survey of the work carried out during the five years 19211925,
as summarised in the above table, exhibits some interesting
points for observation and comment.
The Staff of Official Health Visitors has been increased from
7 in 1921 to 9 in 1925. The number of Child Welfare Centres
has, during the same period, been increased by one (Chatham Road).
The number of sessions held at the Centres has been increased
from 354 in 1921 to 462 in 1925, and the attendances, exclusive of
the Voluntary Centres, at these Centres has increased from 21,913
to 22,422.
The total home visits paid by the Health Visitors (Official and
Voluntary) during the 5 years increased from 20,720 to 25,041,
an increase of 4,321.
The number of home visits and re-visits paid by the Health
Visitors in connection with notifiable infectious diseases increased
during the quinquennium from 2,231 to 4,367. While this figure
is, of course, affected by the fluctuations in individual years of
notifiable infectious diseases, this is not the only explanation;
the increased Staff has rendered it possible to devote greater
attention to this important preventive measure and with better
results, as shown by the vital and morbid statistics of the Borough.
An analysis of the attendances of infants at the Welfare Centres
in Battersea shows that 55.5 per cent. are of infants at the earlier
weeks of life (under 2 months). This satisfactory feature points
to the attention now given by the Health Visitors to the importance
of home visiting from the earliest possible date after birth.
Milk Order.

In addition to the above dinners to the number of 1,277 were
supplied to necessitous expectant and nursing mothers by arrangement
with the Women's League of Service, at a cost of £36 10s. 2d.