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THE HEALTH OF BARKING
Home Visiting is the backbone of the Service.
point was made in the Annual Reports of the fact that model baby clothes were shown
to the mothers. “The numbers attending vary from 12 to 20 per week and the
institution becomes increasingly popular." By 1911, "from 20 to 25 babies are
brought regularly.... to be weighed and interview the Medical Officer or the
Woman Inspector," and the Medical Officer of Health began to worry about "an
increasing number of mothers who seek advice in reference to diseases peculiar to
women and connected with child birth," thus foreshadowing the development of
the gynaecological consultant service which is now enjoyed.
About this time the scope of the service was expanded to cover all children
under school age.
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