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44
During 1935, 194 massage sessions were held (excluding the
weekly sessions held at the Mundella Road centre), at which the
attendances numbered 1,884, an average per session of 9.7. The
cost to the Council in 1935 was £50 9s. 6d.
This service includes the provision of massage treatment where
necessary for those patients who attend the Council's artificial light
treatment centre (vide page 43).
Day Nursery.
The only Day Nursery in the Borough is the St. Margaret's
Day Nursery at 8 and 10 Cambridge Road, which since 1927 has
been incorporated with the National Society of Day Nurseries.
It continues, however, to be administered by a local committee
upon which the Borough Council is represented. There is accommodation
for 27 children, and for 24 in a guest house which is attached
for the reception of residents.
During 1935 the attendances at the Nursery totalled 5,608, the
number of children admitted being 60.
Sixty-five children were admitted to the Guest House.
An annual grant of £500 is made by the Council in accordance
with the requirements of the Scheme made by the Ministry of
Health (vide page 19).
No serious outbreak of infectious disease occurred during the
year among the children attending the Nursery or Guest house.
The Council in March, on an enquiry by the London County
Council through the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee,
expressed themselves in favour of co-operation between the
County Council and Metropolitan Borough Councils for the provision
of day nurseries (in districts where such provision was necessary),
in connection with large County Council Housing estates.
Infant Life Protection.
The provisions of the Children and Young Persons Acts, 1908
and 1932, relating to infant life protection have since April, 1933,
been administered in London by the Metropolitan Borough Councils.
Foster mothers and the children in their care were visited
throughout the year by the Health Visiting staff, who have been
appointed by the Council as Infant Life Protection visitors. The
number of visits paid by them in 1935 to foster mothers and children
was 1,297.
At the end of 1934 there were 70 Battersea foster mothers
on the register, having in their care 102 nurse children. At the
end of 1935 there were 58 foster mothers with 100 nurse children,
a decrease of 12 foster mothers during the year. In addition there
were on the register 67 foster mothers who had no children in their
charge.