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12
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
Four hundred and thirty-one notifications of births, including three still births, made
in accordance with the requirements of the Notification of Births Act, were received. Of
these, 68 only referred to City births, and the balance were transferred to the appropriate
authorities. There were three still births.
Sixty-eight initial visits were made as a consequence of these notifications, and 1,665
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 (2,397 galls.) and 348 lbs. of 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.
No home help was necessary during 1936.
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 three 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 1936.
THE CITY OF LONDON WELFARE CENTRE, HELD AT ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL.
The City of London Infant Welfare Centre continued actively during 1936. There
were 100 sessions held of the Welfare Centre, four special sessions for the immunisation of
children against diphtheria, and two for Schick tests. One thousand six hundred and sixty-five
home visits were paid by the Health Visitors. It will be seen that, with an annual birth
registration of about 68, this activity effectively covers the babies and young children
living in the City and provides a very satisfactory health service.
During this year the immunisation of children against diphtheria has continued. Altogether,
20 have been immunised in 1936, which may be counted a fairly satisfactory figure.
Forty-six children have now been immunised. It has proved necessary to hold extra
sessions for purposes of immunisation and for Schick testing; 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.
There has been an increase in the number of attendances at the Infant Welfare Centre,
during 1936, of 462. Visits increased by 140 and an extra 23 mothers commenced attending
the Welfare Centre.
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
1936.
The City of London Infant Welfare Centre progressed successfully during 1936. There
are no great changes in the organisation to report. Dr. Franklin continued to act as Medical
Officer to the Clinic and the Health Visitors were Miss Backhouse and Miss Cook. The
energy and enthusiasm of these workers has contributed very largely to the efficiency of
the Clinic during the year.
There were 2,327 attendances at the Clinic during the year, about two-thirds of these
being of infants over the age of one year. Schick testing was carried out and forty more
infants were immunised against diphtheria.
The Hospital has been exercised to provide as good accommodation for the Welfare
Centre as is possible. The present accommodation, while not very bad, is not ideal. The
Hospital has found it difficult at present to suggest an alternative place within the boundaries
of the Hospital where the Clinic may be held, but it is intended to improve the accommodation
as soon as this can be done.
The value of the association of the Centre with the Hospital may be illustrated by
two points. Of the 10 infants who died in the City during the year, four had been admitted