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24
North St. Pancras School for Mothers, Queen's Crescent.
Two voluntary consultations for older children were given each month by Dr. J. Finch
Haines. A "health talk" for young mothers was given twice monthly by the Superintendent.
The attendances at these numbered 437. Interviews with mothers by the
Superintendent, other than at classes or clinics, numbered 7,928. These are a popular
feature at this Centre.
A holiday scheme was also arranged, by which mothers were sent away, either free of
charge or assisted according to their needs.
Oakley Square Centre.
The Superintendent holds a monthly meeting for mothers. The average attendance at
the children's consultations and ante-natal clinics continued to be very good.
Holidays.—32 mothers, 30 babies and 13 children were sent away for two weeks'
holiday out of funds raised by members of the Voluntary Committee.
South Highgate Centre.
The attendances here again show a decrease as compared with previous years. A class
for mothers was held twice monthly.
During the year three cookery demonstrations were given by Miss Petty ("The
Pudding Lady ").
Artificial Sunlight Treatment.
Very successful results having recently been reported from the above treatment in
connection with cases of anaemia, debility, rickets, surgical tuberculosis, etc., it appeared to be
desirable that the benefit of this form of treatment should be available for St. Pancras
children who were suffering from these diseases.
It was ascertained that the Committee of the "Save the Children Fund" might be
willing to present to the Borough Council a lamp suitable for this treatment. As a result of
inquiries which were made, a letter was received from the Committee of this Fund in
November, definitely offering a lamp to be used for suitable children attending the various
welfare centres in the Borough. The Council accepted this generous offer, agreed to provide
the necessary supply of electricity, etc., and decided to instal the lamp at the South Highgate
Centre in Eaydon Street. These premises could readily be adapted for the purpose, and Dr.
Beaumont, who is experienced in this work, and whose residence is near, generously offered his
services free, for a period of six months, to supervise the work.
The treatment was not commenced until early in the present year (1925), when the
Centre was opened by His Worship The Mayor, Councillor F. B. Gurney, F.A.I., J.P.
At the opening ceremony, which was well attended by Members of the Borough
Council, representatives of the Committee of the Centre, Medical Practitioners, etc., speeches
were made by Sir Alfred Fripp, K.C.V.O., C.B., and Professor Leonard Hill, F.R.S., M.B.,
both of whom spoke in the highest terms as to the value of this treatment.
The lamp, which is now working regularly on three days per week, is a Westminster
Eidinow, that is a carbon arc type with a long flame rich in heat, visible and ultra-violet rays.
The results obtained at the time of writing are very encouraging, and will be fully reported
next year.