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incidentally this was the only case of its kind during the year,
which is a marked improvement upon previous experience in
regard to this class of death.
In 13 cases the mother had attended Welfare Centres with
previous children. In practically all these cases the babies
lived only for an hour or two, the causes of death not suggesting
any special circumstances.
In 17 cases attendance at Welfare Centres had been
irregular. These cases again did not appear to present any
special features, and so one comes to the group where attendance
at the Centres had been reasonably regular; these numbered 27.
In the majority of these cases, the causes of death were such that
Welfare Centre care could scarcely have exercised any influence,
the majority of the infants being delicate cur ill from birth,
succumbing in the main to Pneumonia or allied conditions.
There is one very potent feature which still, unfortunately,
exerts its evil influence in regard particularly to the well-being
of the very young, and that is the shortage of housing accommodation. In quite a number of instances, limited housing facilities
were suggested as a contributing cause to the infantile deaths,
a case in point being a family of seven whose sleeping accommodation
was one room only. Unemployment too, in several cases
resulted in a condition of extreme poverty and as a consequence,
the children were inadequately nourished despite the assistance
which is obtainable in the way of milk, etc., from the Centres
for nursing and expectant mothers and young children in
necessitous circumstances.
Convalescent Home Treatment. — Such cases as are
recommended by the Medical Officers in charge of the various
Welfare Centres as being in need of convalescent home treatment
are in the first place dealt with by the Committee and then
referred either to the Invalid Children's Aid Association, or to
the Guardians to make the necessary arrangements for such
treatment. The I.C.A.A. collect from the parents such proportion of the cost as the families' circumstances will allow and
further help is obtained from voluntary societies, the balance
being borne by the Council.
During the year 43 children have been sent away for
convalescence for periods varying from three weeks to six
months.
Arrangements were also made with the Littlestone-on-Sea
Convalescence Home for a month's convalescence for five mothers,
together with their babies.