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7
Chelsea Day Nursery, 65, Sydney-street.
The Chelsea Day Nursery was open throughout the year, except
for a period of one week at Easter. The total number of attendances
of children for the year was 4,649, as against 5,304 in 1920. The average
daily attendance was 18, as against 21 in 1920. Dr. Benham is now
acting as Medical Officer of the Nursery, and medical attendant of the
staff. A fortnightly medical inspection is made of the children.
Chelsea Red Cross Nursing Home for Babies, Edith-terrace.
Fifty-five cases were admitted during 1920, as against 65 in 1920.
Thirty-three of the children were infants under one year, and 22 were
slightly older children. Of the total 55 cases, 21, or 38 per cent., were
Chelsea residents, and 34, or 62 per cent., were residents of other districts.
The conditions for which the children were admitted were:—
Marasmus or Wasting, 36; after-effects of Bronchitis and Bronchopneumonia,
5; Diarrhoea, 5; Rickets, 3; other illnesses, 6. As the
result of treatment of these 55 cases, 14 were discharged "cured";
12 as "improved" or "satisfactory"; 5 were transferred to other
institutions; 10 were only a few days in the Home; 5 died; and 10
remained in the Home at the end of the year. Two of the fatal cases
were only in the Home for short periods—under 3 weeks.
Chelsea Branch of the Invalid Children's Aid Association.
During 1921 the Tuberculosis Care Committee referred to the Chelsea
Branch of the I.C.A.A. 122 cases needing convalescence or care. Of
these 74 were new cases, and 48 were already known to the Branch. Of
the 122 children referred to, 99 received convalescent treatment in the
country or at the sea-side, 14 of these being cases carried over from 1920.
The average stay of the children in the homes was 2½ months. At the
request of the Tuberculosis Care Committee the Chelsea Branch visited
22 cases of children treated under the London County Council Tuberculosis
scheme, to collect and forward to the Council the parents' contributions.
Of these cases 7 were carried over from 1920.
The Milk (Mothers' and Childrens') Orders.
During the year 1921, the number of applications for milk, including
renewals, granted by the Sub-Committee were as follows :—1st quarter,
698; 2nd quarter, 692; 3rd quarter, 589; 4th quarter, 551; total for
year, 2,530, as against 2,340 in 1920. The approximate total cost for
the year was £990, namely, 1st quarter, £433; 2nd quarter, £245; 3rd
quarter, £160; 4th quarter, £152. In 1920, the total sum expended was
£1,515, and in 1919 £342. The Borough Council receives a grant from
the Ministry of Health of half the cost incurred.
From January until July the grants were for cow's milk supplied
by retail dairymen; for the rest of the year dried milk was granted
instead of dairy milk, except in special cases. During the last three
quarters of the year, the standard of income entitling an applicant to
receive milk at less than current price was reduced from 11s. to 10s.
per head per week, owing to the reduction in the cost of living. On the
14th March, the Milk (Mothers' and Childrens') Order, 1919, was revoked
by the Ministry of Health, and the sanction of the Minister became