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12
Popular education as to these matters is a serious need, and for
this and other reasons it is a question whether Cancer Clinics in
large towns would not fulfil a very useful purpose.
The public needs to be warned against quacks who, as experts
in pretence and promise, encourage patients to expect relief till
either their money is exhausted or the disease too far advanced for
cure by operation or other recognised methods. Bottles of medicine,
and the application of ointments and paste, cannot cure Cancer.
DIARRœHA AND ENTERITIS.
These conditions in young children are mainly due to an
infection of the digestive tracts. Since 1906, with the exception
of the Diarrhoea year of 1911, there has been a very remarkable
decline in the prevalence of these conditions, notwithstanding the
fact that the hot, dry summer of 1921 was entirely favourable to a
high case-rate. This great reduction must be ascribed to our
maternity and child welfare activities—and more especially to the
great reduction to the risk of infection in the milk supply to infants.
There can be no questioning the fact that Hospital treatment
of severe cases of these diseases saves many children who would
receive neither adequate medical supervision nor nursing aid in
their own homes, and in 1924 the Metropolitan Asylums Board made
provision for the reception and treatment of a limited number of
selected cases. More recently this provision has been somewhat
increased and a few selected sufferers from Marasmus or Wasting
can also be accommodated.
INFANT MORTALITY AND MATERNITY AND CHILD
WELFARE WORK, 1921-25.
Notes and Comments.
Maternity and Child Welfare has taken a very prominent place
in the public health work of the Borough Council, and I have
pleasure in testifying to the fact that all those officials employed
upon it rendered high-quality services.