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11
INFANT WELFARE WORK.
No new work has been undertaken in connection with Infant Welfare Work, as it is
found that the needs of the City are amply filled by the arrangements already in operation.
The small resident population of the City and the consequent few births enables a close
personal touch to be maintained between my staff and the City mothers.
The Infant Welfare Centre, administered by the Corporation at St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, has had a satisfactory attendance at the weekly Wednesday session, and supplies
of milk and dried milk, at cost price, under cost price, and free, according to circumstances,
have been provided in accordance with the practice which has been in operation for some
years. Cod Liver Oil Emulsion is also given where its administration appears to be advisable.
418 notifications of birth, made in accordance with the requirements of the Notification
of Births Act, were received. Of these, 86 referred to City mothers, and the balance were
transferred to the appropriate authorities.
The Woman Inspector, who undertakes the work arising from these notifications, reports
that 226 visits were made as a consequence of notifications received, and also that 337
special visits were made in connection with infant welfare. Five visits were also made
in respect of cases coming within the scope of the Children Act, 1908, all in relation to nurse
children and 10 in connection with verminous school children notified under the London
County Council (General Powers) Act, 1904.
MATERNAL MORTALITY.
The investigation into maternal deaths which the Ministry of Health now require
to be conducted has not called for any particular organisation in my department. There
are very few deaths per annum among the City resident population, and such few maternal
deaths as occur will be investigated by me.
It may be of interest to note that, from 1900 to 1929 inclusive, only 14 maternal deaths
have occurred among City residents.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Few comments are necessary with reference to the incidence of infectious disease
during the year 1929.
Diphtheria was prevalent to the extent of 21 cases compared with 23 in 1928. The
number of Scarlet Fever cases was 31, compared with 25 in 1928. There were 3 cases of
Erysipelas. Measles and German Measles are not notifiable diseases and only 4 cases of the
former illness were brought to my notice by medical practitioners and through the medium
of the school medical service. Ten cases of Chicken-pox were notified, 10 of Acute Primary
Pneumonia, 1 case of Acute Influenzal Pneumonia, 1 of Amoebic Dysentery, and 4 of Smallpox.
No case of Ophthalmia Neonatorum was reported.
The percentage of cases removed to hospital for treatment continues satisfactory.
In each instance of notified disease a detailed examination is made of the sanitary condition
of the premises where the case occurred and a summary of defects found by the District
Inspector is given on page 63.
Notification of Infectious Diseases.—In the following tables will be found particulars of
certificates relating to cases of infectious disease, and information as to the removal of patients
to hospitals, infirmaries, etc.