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19
[1930
would not be confined to those mothers who attended the Centres, but to all
applicants residing in the Borough, and that necessitous cases would receive
special consideration.
Co-operation with the midwives practising in the Borough has been continued,
and, generally, it is reported that the midwives are now agreed to take advantage
of the services offered by the Ante-Natal Departments of the Centres. It would
appear, however, from the report of the South Centre that in that area the midwives
have only partially availed themselves of this co-operation.
One of the Centres now uses the facilities for the treatment of mothers and
children afforded by the Eastman Dental Clinic at the Royal Free Hospital, which
was opened early in December.
As regards the older children it is noted that the East Centre has on occasion
taken advantage in some of their difficult cases of "Problem Children" of the
Child Guidance Clinic. This Clinic in Islington has now for some time been doing
excellent work, and we have had enquiries regarding it from other Boroughs.
In the report of one of the Centres it is stated that "Working for and with
children is a work of promise. There is nothing stationary about a baby. One
cannot work only for the present. Even physically it is a case of working for:—
"The right that lacks assistance
The wrong that needs resistance
For the future in the distance
And the good that we can do.''
North Centre.— The report received from this Centre shows that there has
been an increase in all the principal branches of its work, and it would appear from
the number of expectant mothers on the register, that more than one half the
expectant mothers in the area now make use of the Centre.
"Valuable help has been given, both to expectant and nursing mothers by
arranging for them to have dinners at the Centre. The effect of these good and
nourishing meals (which on an average cost the Centre 8d.), is a marked improvement
on the health and general outlook of the mothers."
Thrift.—"In November last the Centre made an interesting departure by
starting a branch of the National Savings Association and 18 members joined in
the first week. By the end of March there were 143 members, £53 5s. 8d. had
been collected, and 37 certificates (value l6s.) had been allocated. It has been very
encouraging to see how ready the mothers are to save for their babies, and they
find it a great help to contribute small sums weekly. This is the first branch to be
started by an Infant Welfare Centre in London."
"Light."—"During 1930-31 the 'Light' Department treated 440 children
and 247 mothers, giving in all 5,764 treatments to children and 2,214 treatments to
mothers."
"Comparing these figures with those of 1929-30, a fall in the number of treatments
given is noted, but actually the number of mothers and children treated
has increased."
"The proportion of children treated for catarrhal and ricketic conditions was
greatly increased during 1930-31.
1929-30. 1930-31.
Catarrhal 81.7 as against 66.3 per cent.
Rickets 66 ,, 58.3 ,,