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9
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The Clinics were limited for the first month of the War, but
on the return of persons who had been evacuated, the Clinic attendances
increased so that it was necessary to maintain the same number
as prior to September 4th, 1939.
Maternal Mortality.—There were four maternal deaths, two of
which occurred in hospital, due to puerperal sepsis, both being cases
which gave rise to abnormal conditions; the other two deaths were
due to other conditions associated with pregnancy.
Infantile Mortality.—There were 47 deaths under one year,
giving an infantile mortality figure of 59, but the mortality of
illegitimate children is higher than in previous years.
Day Nursery—The Staff and children regularly attending the Day
Nursery were evacuated from Acton to a house in Woking. The
house was small for the number of children sent, and, as the parents
withdrew their children, the number was maintained at 20 until the
end of the year, when it was hoped that the children would be
placed in a larger house more suited to the requirements of staff
and children, and of a larger nature so that more children might
be sent from Acton to the Day Nursery.
During conversations with the Ministry of Health Officials,
one received information that the local Supervising Authority in
the receiving area would, in the near future, be responsible for the
administration of the Day Nursery at Woking, thus relieving the
"evacuating local authority" of the rather difficult task of keeping
a watchful eye upon administrative details at so great a distance.
Nurse Children.—The reduction in the number of children on the
register in 1939 is undoubtedly due to the fact that many children
were evacuated at the outbreak of War. The number of such children
remaining on the Register was 27.
The following Table shows the work of the Infant Welfare
centres and Ante Natal Clinics.