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service today. Too frequent routine weighing of an obviously healthy
baby can do much harm to an over-anxious mother.
Much attention is now being directed to the mental health of the
nation. Many mental disorders can be traced back to mishandling in
early childhood—and here too much "kindness" can be as harmful
as too little. I am sure that a very important part of the work of the
infant welfare service of the future will be the promotion of sound
emotional development by means of the instruction of parents and
parents-to-be in the art of handling their children.
INFANT WELFARE CLINICS
Number of children—First Attendances in Year :—
Under 1 year 1,047
Over 1 year 2,385
Total number of attendances of children:—
Under 1 year 17,703
Over 1 year 11,016
whilst you have developed excellent services for expectant mothers
and for babies, there has been a tendency to neglect the routine supervision
of thoddlers in the vital years before they come under the wings
of the School Health Service. If it is desirable to examine school
children every two or three years then it is essential to arrange and
annual routinie medical inspection of every toddler, and I hope to
devote some attention to this problem in the ensuing year.
A most v iluable service was introduced in 1945 by the appointment
of a Children's Specialist who, although now employed by the Regional
Hospital Board, continues to attend the Upney Clinic once per fortnight.
The Consultant Paediatrician is Dr. S. B. Dimson, M.D.
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PÆDIATRIC CLINIC
Attendances :—
School Children 258
Toddlers 141