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1916
4
The Council has extended its activities in the campaign
for the conservation of child life, and the scheme outlined
in the Annnal Report for 1914 is now in operation.
A second Health Visitor was appointed, who commenced
duties on May 1st.
A second "Infants" consultation centre was opened at
the Social Club, Stanley Road, in May.
In February, 1917, the agreement between the Council
and the Committee of the Cottage Hospital came into
operation. An Infants' Clinic and an Ante-natal Clinic were
opened, and a bed is provided for complicated cases of
pregnancy. Both Clinics are opened on two days in each
month. Dr. Cockayne conducts the Infants' Clinic and
Dr. Bell conducts the Ante-natal Clinic, and is in charge
of the Maternity beds.
In November, a Nursery was opened for the reception
and care of children of munition workers. For the equipment
of the Nursery, the Ministry of Munitions contributed
75 per cent. and the Council contributed the remainder.
The Nursery is open both day and night, from Sunday
evening to Saturday afternoon.
In view of the extended activities of the Council, the
recent special report of the Medical Officer of the Local
Government Board is of special interest to the district. The
last report is the fourth special report to the Local Government
Board on Child Mortality, and in it are given statistics
for the years 1911—1914. In the second report the statistics
for 1907—1910 were given, and the comparative position of
Acton was summarized in my Annual Report for 1913.
Exigencies of space prevent a similar summary of the fourth
special report. Briefly, it may be stated that an improvement
has occurred in Acton,—relatively and absolutely. It
is gratifying to note that the greatest improvement has
occurred' in the mortality from diseases to which particular
attention has been paid.
In the period 1907—1910, the mortality from Bronchitis
and Pneumonia was 14 per cent. above the average rate for
the 241 urban areas, and for Diarrhoeal diseases it was 30 per
cent. above the average.