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carried out by health visitors. Particulars are also available of such
home accidents occurring to children throughout the whole of the year as
came to the attention of the department through other channels. Although
these details are not necessarily complete - since, prior to the
introduction of hospital notification scheme, many accidents were not
notified to the Council - they help to give an indication of the incidence
and types of accidents sustained by children in the home and are as
follows:-
Total number of such accidents coming
to attention during the year 147
Number reported by hospitals participating
in scheme described above (1st October
1968 to 31st December,, 1968 only) 128
Special visits paid by health visitors 51
(Some accidents only became known to
health visitors during routine visits often
several months after they took place)
Analysis of accidents
(a) Scalds and burns
31
(b) Bruises and cuts, mostly due to falls
and mainly minor accidents
93
(c) Swallowing pills, poisons and
foreign bodies
19
(d) Bitten by dog
1
(e) Peanut in nostril
1
(f) Tissue paper in nostril
1
(g) Arm dislocated by mother because
of incorrect method of lifting
1
Further analysis of (c) above
Aspirin 4
(1 admitted to hospital)
Contraceptive pills 3
Iron tablets 1
Parazone 1
Detergent 1
Sedatives 2
(1 admitted to hospital)
River water 1
Cigarettes 1
Safety pin 1
Buttons 3
Fishbone 1
Seven children were admitted to hospital with burns and scalds
and there was one death from this cause in January, 1968.
Three children were admitted to hospital for observation following
bruised heads and one following a fractured arm.