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11
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Four hundred and twenty.five notifications of births, including 16 still births, made in
accordance with the requirements of the Notification of Births Act, were received. Of these,
63 only referred to City births, and the balance were transferred to the appropriate authorities.
There were two still births.
Fifty.four initial visits were made as a consequence of these notifications, and 1,513
subsequent visits in connection with infant welfare and ante.natal work.
No visit was necessary in connection with a case which came within the scope of the
Children Act, 1908, or in respect of a nurse child.
Supplies of milk and dried milk, at cost price or free, according to circumstances, have
been provided, according to the practice which has been in operation for some years. Cod
Liver Oil is also given if its administration appears to be desirable.
One home help was necessary during 1935.
There were no notifications of verminous school children under the London County
Council (General Powers) Act, 1904.
No visit was made in connection with infant life protection and two in connection
with cases of Ophthalmia.
The lying.in accommodation provided by the City Corporation at St. Bartholomew's
Hospital, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1929, was utilized
in connection with only one birth during 1935.
Dr. Charles F. Harris, who is in charge of the Corporation Clinic held at St.Bartholomew's
Hospital, has kindly prepared the following brief report on the working of the Clinic during
1934:—
the city of london welfare centre, held at st. bartholomew's hospital.
The City of London Infant Welfare Centre continued actively during 1935. There
were 97 sessions held of the Welfare Centre and four special sessions for the immunisation
of children against diphtheria. The attendances totalled 1,782. In addition to this,
1,367 home visits were paid by the Health Visitors. It will be seen that, with an annual
birth registration of about 63, this activity effectively covers the babies and young children
living in the City and provides a very satisfactory health service.
Dr. Franklin returned from America during 1935 and resumed his work in the Welfare
Centre. During this year, also, the immunisation of children against diphtheria has started.
Altogether, 26 have been immunised, which may be counted a fairly satisfactory figure as
a start—the majority of parents waiting to see the effect of the immunisation on other
children before agreeing to have their own done. It has proved necessary to hold extra
sessions for purposes of immunisation; the technique cannot be satisfactorily carried out
and the cases properly supervised at the regular sessions without causing much waiting and
delay for the mothers normally attending.
The success of the clinic has depended on the energy and enthusiasm that has been
shown by the Health Visitor, Miss Backhouse, and the Assistant Health Visitor, Miss Cook;
their work must be very strongly commended. Besides the home visits, weekly talks are
given to the mothers on Mothercraft and on various subjects connected with the prevention
of disease in their children. Owing to the energy of the Health Visitors and the co.ordination
of the Welfare Centre with the work of the Hospital, the undertaking may be regarded as
a very effective weapon in the prevention of disease.