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checked, the papers relating to infants who have removed, died, or
completed a year picked out, and the information thus obtained
has to be copied on to the duplicate sheets kept in the office.
Forms (with duplicates) are made out to replace those which are
depleted, and all forms are returned with letters of advice, etc., for
which the remarks of the voluntary helpers may call. Some idea
of the amount of clerical work entailed may be deducted from the
fact that in 1909 1,126 communications were sent through the
post by the Health Visitor. Six consultation days are held during
each month; at five of these the Health Visitor superintends and
also keeps in order the forms used by the hon. consultants, all this
in addition to the organisation of meetings, with notices, preparation
of agenda, etc., and attendance at same.
"In 1909 922 infants were visited (this INCLUDES the work
of the Health Visitor and the voluntary helpers), not a fourth
of the number of infants born, but it must be remembered
that the visiting is carried out on the assumption that no permanent
good will result from the payment of one flying visit, so frequent
visits are paid to each case for a whole year.
"If the Council should decide, however, that for the purpose of
detecting cases of ophthalmia neonatorum—instead of adopting
compulsory notification—a visit shall be paid to each birth occurring
in the Borough, no statistical work regarding the causes of infantile
mortality can be done, and it will be absolutely impossible for the
work of the voluntary helpers to be utilised, even if they be willing.
should Miss Hall diminish devoting any of her time to organising.
Moreover, no voluntary worker will visit except at her own convenience,
and it could not be expected that she would pay the
immediate visits required.
"Furthermore, the voluntary worker is untrained, and without
wishing to detract in any way from the exceedingly good work she
does, it is quite possible that, unless she were specially trained, in
cases where signs of ophthalmia neonatorum were showing, the
helper would be quite ready to agree with the mother, that the baby
had a cold in the eye, and then let the matter rest, the very idea
which causes so much mischief, and which it is desired to uproot.
"Referring to the possibility of coming to an arrangement with
the London County Council regarding the notification of ophthalmia
neonatorum. True! the duty of advising the calling in of medical