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Infantile Mortality.—The infantile mortality rate (63) is considerably
lower than the figure for the previous year and does not call for special
comment.
Ambulance.—During the month of August, 1931, an agreement was
entered into with the London County Council for the removal of
non-urgent maternity cases between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Payment was made by the Borough Council for the removal of 10
non-urgent cases during the year 1932.
Strident Health Visitors.
During the year five Health Visitors of the Royal College of Nursing
have been given a course of practical training.
Post-Graduate Course.
Two Health Visitors attended a Post-graduate Refresher Course during
the year.
The Observation Wards, Wellington Road.
During the year certain improvements have been effected. The
ground where the cots stand has been paved; the Borough Surveyor has
arranged for grass seed to be sown in the garden at the rear; and through
the kindness of one of the members of the Committee some fruit trees have
been planted.
Training of Probationers.
As in previous years lectures have been given by the Matron, and the
Probationers have also attended the Courses arranged by the National
Society of Day Nurseries.
Report of Dr. H. St. H. Vertue, Consulting Physician at the
Maternity and Child Welfare Observation Wards.
The past year at Wellington Road has been an exceptionally busy
one. The number of cases admitted has been greater than that in any
previous year, and there was a bigger proportion than usual of babies
that were difficult and very delicate. During late winter and early spring
there was a prolonged drought, with a practically unbroken spell for many
weeks of hard, dry, cold east winds, which have such a deleterious effect