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655
"Of all the infants in the Borough who died, only nine had
ever been brought to the centres and five of the nine had never
been seen by the Medical Officer. As I urged before the Committee
last year, this emphasizes the importance of new babies being
brought first on a day the doctor attends for skilled diagnosis and
advice. Of the four infants seen by the Medical Officer, one was
diagnosed at the first examination as suffering from marked Congenital
Heart Disease and not expected to live; one was only seen
once, and two died of Pneumonia.
"Very few children with Rickets have been referred for Sunlight
treatment. Such cases are not common, and those met with
are usually the children of poor mothers, who often go out to work.
If the mother gives up her work the diet may suffer. Where the
mother does not go out to work, but there are several children under
school age, often the best she can do is to spend as many hours as
possible with all the children in the open air.
"A number of families still urgently need homes of their own.
Time and again mothers say they dare not let the infant cry owing
to the landlady, and the baby soon realizes that a lusty howl is an
invaluable asset when he wants his own way.
"The importance of the formation of good regular habits
and of the need for careful observation of detail is being increasingly
realized by the mothers. Many more babies now have long-sleeved
vests and woollen overalls in cold weather, as urged by me continually.
I believe that the number of cases of Bronchitis and
Pneumonia can be still further reduced if all mothers adapt the
clothing to the weather.
"Dental facilities .or mothers are urgently needed. Septic
Teeth are far too common among mothers and this often leads to
Anaemia and inability to breast feed.
"As pointed out in previous reports and in the scheme,
talks on Mothercraft are needed. In the absence of other systematic
teaching, I suggested that application might be made for L.C.C.
Instructors in Infant Care, Cookery, etc.