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42
on the same lines as heretofore, that is, the individual
inst ruction of the mother by the doctor or health visitor.
A few observations by two of the Medical Officers
will be of interest
I think the chief difficulty this year has been with
children over one year. It is easier so long as a baby is
breast fed or bottle fed, but when it begins to be dependent
on other foods the difficulty arises of providing enough
variety on a very limited income. I emphasize variety
because it is important both for ensuring that no essentials
are omitted from the diet and also because children, like
adults, eat better if their food is attractive and not
monotonous.
Next to the food difficulty is the overcrowding in so
many homes. This again is a potent cause of lack of sleep
in children. It is discouraging to see toddlers return from
a month's convalescence looking bonny and having gained
weight well and then to watch them lose ground again
gradually. This must happen to a certain extent as it is
the children whose home conditions are worst who most
need and who are most sent for convalescence. Lack of
outdoor life is another difficulty. One cannot expect a
mother to take out her two or three or more young children
if she lives on the third or fourth floor. Every time she
goes out with them she may have a pram. to carry up and
down as well as one or two children. Sometimes one is
surprised to find that even if there is a garden it is not
used for a baby as much as it might be.
Bronchitis is still fairly prevalent. I have found on
the whole that good results are obtained from inhalation
therapy, especially in children with frequent or semichronic
respiratory trouble.
(Signed) D. E. Mason.
It is very gratifying to note how the attitude of the
parents is changing towards dental treatment. At first
they would not believe that it was necessary to treat first
teeth if decayed; now I am often asked to examine a child's
milk teeth "to see if anything needs attention."
(Signed) D. I. Mart.
MATERNITY CLINIC (CORNWALL ROAD).
This is open every Wednesday and Thursday
morning, and during 1931 the former monthly special