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departure from the normal can be observed, advice is given, but
no treatment undertaken. In a word, their proper aim is
education. Unfortunately, attendances at these clinics frequently
are not started sufficiently early. It is not unusual to find that
the mothers have taken the babies off the breast before' they
attend and have started artificial feeding. In a large majority
of instances, the weaning has been done for insufficient reasons,
such as " the mother's milk did not agree with the baby," etc.
In other instances, the weaning has been only partial, and
attempts are made to re-establish breast feeding.
Day Nursery.
The Day Nursery is situated in Bollo Bridge Road, and is
open daily except on Saturdays. An attempt was made to open
the Nursery on Saturday mornings, but it was found that there
was no demand for facilities on that day. Most of the mothers
whose children attend do not work on a Saturday.
The Nursery undoubtedly serves a useful purpose. It may
be argued that women should not go out to work, but the fact
remains that they do, and as things are at present, they have
no alternative. The Day Nursery is the outgrowth of modern
industrial conditions. It affords a temporary home for the
children of mothers while the latter go out to earn their living.
Last year 4140 whole-day and 1870 half-day attendances
were made.
LIGHT TREATMENT.
Towards the end of 1927 a report was submitted to the
School Management Sub-Committee upon the subject of Light
Treatment. After enquiries had been made of other education
authorities, it was decided to approach the authorities of the
Acton Hospital and ascertain of them if it were possible to carry
out the treatment at that institution. The time was opportune
as the hospital had recently re-organised its Light department
under Dr. Dicks and had engaged special nurses experienced in
massage and remedial exercises. Ultimately, terms were
arranged with the hospital, the payment being at the rate of one
guinea per session—12 children to be treated each session.
These terms were subsequently modified, so that payment was
to be made of 1/9 for each child. These modified terms were
more satisfactory to both parties. It was unnecessary to have
special sessions for children sent for treatment by the Committee,
and it obviated the necessity of having at least 12 children under
treatment at one time.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Committee agreed to
the same terms for the treatment of children under 5 years of
age.