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nursing mothers (44 as against 52 for 1953), but as the facilities seem to be less well
known among the population than could be desired, everything possible is being done
to publicise them.
I
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy work has been cxtended and the equipment at tne Council's centres
improved. However, despite an increased number of sessions in 1954 compared with
previous years, total attendances of children fell from 11,742 in 1953 to 8,159 in 1954.
Against this must be set the welcome increase in attendances at ante-natal classes for
relaxation exercises, etc. Attendances numbered 2,014 in 1954 compared with 1,107 in
1953.
Child
guidance
There were fewer attendances at the child guidance clinic for the under-fives at
John Street welfare centre—243 against 292 the year before. Joint use has, however,
been made with division 2 of a new special unit at Barnes House welfare centre,
Camden Town, where parents can be advised on the handling of difficult children, and
seven cases were referred there during 1954.
Welfare foods
When the local rood Unices were closed at the end ot June, arrangements were made
for orange juice, cod liver oil, vitamin tablets and national dried milk to be distributed
from the welfare centres, including the two voluntary ones. Minor alterations had to be
made in a few centres, but on the whole the transfer of functions was effected very
smoothly. There had of necessity to be some small reduction in the hours at which foods
were sold, but as the number of distribution points was trebled, the public suffered no
inconvenience. Quantities distributed were about the same as before the changeover
but the diversion of purchasers from Food Offices to welfare centres has not resulted in
any marked increase in attendances at the welfare centres for advice.
Day nurseries
ine mne day nurseries operated tnrougnout 1 ine numoer or nrst and second
priority cases awaiting admission at 31st December was 18. There is one private day
nursery in the division registered under the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation
Act, 1948, and one voluntary day nursery which is grant-aided by the Council. There
was a marked increase during the year in the number of child-minders approved under
the Council's scheme for the care of less than three young children, the figures being
150 at the end of 1954 as against 115 for 1953. It is not certain how far this may be due
to increased day nursery fees, but it cannot be purely coincidental. The number of
unregistered child-minders is not accurately known.
Vaccination
and
immunisation
I he division s mobile clinic, towed by a loudspeaker van, was again in use during
1954, when efforts to improve the immunity of the child population against diphtheria
were continued at high pressure. Primary courses of immunisation were completed for
3,432 children, representing 71 -3 per cent, of the live births. Boosting doses were given
to 3,843 schoolchildren to reinforce their primary immunisation. This figure compares
with 1,939 for 1953, showing a gratifying increase of nearly 100 per cent. Sessions for
schoolchildren were arranged on Saturday mornings and during school holidays thus
avoiding interruption of school work and were well attended, 3,343 children had
complete courses of immunisation against whooping cough, a further increase on
previous years (2,380 in 1953). 2,894 primary vaccinations and 2,742 re-vaccinations
were completed, the latter figure including 2,377 schoolchildren. These figures were
the highest ever recorded in the division, and compare with 2,685 primary vaccinations
and 1,332 re-vaccinations (including 982 schoolchildren) in 1953. One adult case of
diphtheria occurred during the year. The incidence of poliomyelitis was so slight as to
make unnecessary any precautionary cessation of prophylactic work.
School health
service
Three new (rebuilt) schools have been re-opened in the division, involving the usual
medical services. Over 80 per cent, of the health visitors are now doing combined
maternity and child welfare and school work. In one school a teacher was found to be
suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. The children were X-rayed and no abnormalities
were found.
Vision clinics have presented no untoward problems. In addition to the facilities
provided at the treatment centres, large numbers of children were dealt with at Moorfields
Eye Hospital. Essential dental work was being coped with satisfactorily until the end of
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