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50
SPECIAL CLINIC FOR DELICATE CHILDREN.
Since 1925, a Special Consultation Clinic for
Delicate Children has been in operation at the Centre,
conducted by Dr. Helen M. M. Mackay, M.D.;
M.R.C.P. Medical Officers at the Infant Consultations
observing children whose conditions require special
investigation, or on whom they desire a second opinion,
refer such children to the Special Clinic.
Dr. Mackay reports on the work of the year as
follows : —
Special Clinic for Delicate Children.
Report for 1931.
The following reflections have been suggested by the
work of the Clinic during 1931. The family income as
stated by the mothers of many children attending this
Clinic was often so low that one marvelled how they were
able to carry on at all. It is often said in such circum—
stances, where poverty is at the root of ill.health, that
medical advice is all but wasted1, but time and again this
is disproved since, for example, by providing the mother
with a belter knowledge of dietetic needs she is helped to
expend her money better, and by adVice on the management
of her children she is enabled to make better use of the
possibilities open to her. Nevertheless, the doctor.s com—
parative helplessness in the face of extreme poverty, without
the aid of the various social agencies that are ready to co—
operate, is obvious. Thus it is difficult to over.estimate
the value of the borough milk grants to children in im—
poverished families. In the long run it probably proves an
economy for the State by avoiding more expensive treatment
later. The Invalid Kitchen in the Borough has given valu—
able assistance, particularly perhaps in some cases where the
mother, in order to provide for her family, was cutting her
own food so low as to render herself incapable of coping
with the management of her children. The Invalid Children.s
Aid Association and the United. Services Fund have helped
in other cases. In a Hospital the medical staff are accus—
tomed to rely on the Lady Almoner as a skilled liaison
officer trained in social work who is able to co.ordinate this
side of the work, and I believe such help would be of great
value at the Borough Welfare Cenbre.
Apart from poverty, an outstanding cause of ill.health