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70. ARTIFICIAL SUNLIGHT CLINIC.
The treatment of infants and children under five years of age at the Artificial
Sunlight Clinic was continued during 1931. Cases are referred by the medical
officers in charge of the Infant Welfare Clinics, and the children attending are kept
under constant medical supervision during their course of treatment.
The majority of the children referred for treatment were suffering from early
rickets and malnutrition, In addition, cases were referred for the following
conditions—chilblains, prematurity, general debility and anæmia.
In all, 99 children received treatment during 1931. One session per week was
devoted to these cases, and 691 treatments were given.
The Committee have had under their consideration certain alterations in the
provision of amenities for ultra violet light treatment, and I hope it will soon be
possible for work of a wider scope than at present undertaken to be carried out
in premises more suitable than those at present used for this work.
71. BATHS FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS.
During the year, free baths at the Public Baths have been continued for
expectant mothers who have no facilities for bathing at home, and who cannot
afford to pay the usual charge for the use of the Public Baths.
There were sixteen baths granted free of charge during 1931.
72. MEALS TO EXPECTANT AND NURSING MOTHERS.
Advantage has been taken during 1931 of this provision under the Act.
The total number of dinners supplied was 168. The nutrition of the mother during
pregnancy and in the lying-in period has a very important bearing on the wellbeing
of the infant, and it is at these times that necessitous mothers are particularly
encouraged to avail themselves of the Council's scheme.
It is obvious that this service is not being used to the extent that one would
expect, and after consultation with my colleagues I am of opinion that the main
difficulties militating against mothers availing themselves of the amenities you
have provided are:—
1. That, where the conditions at home are bad, no doubt the father is out of
work, and then the mother prefers to remain at home to get her husband's
dinner and have her own dinner with her family.