View report page

in many ways, the routine use of the cinematograph in schools, with the
inclusion of suitable health films, would probably prove of greater
value and less costly, with less disorganisation and risk of infection.
Similarly, displays at the Infant Welfare Centres such as were given
at all Centres during the winter months, would probably prove more
acceptable if introduced as a regular part of the programme at the
Centres. Undoubtedly there are great possibilities in the use of the
film for health education, and such money as is available could well
be spent on the production of more films dealing with specific health
questions in a modern and attractive manner. The posters and other
printed matter produced for the National Campaign to encourage the
wider use of the Health Services were not appreciated in this District.
A local edition of "Better Health," a monthly magazine containing
a foreword written or arranged by the Medical Officer of Health, the
inset of which is produced by the Central Council for Health Education,
has been distributed throughout the District since November, 1937.
Some 2,000 copies are issued locally each month, but the value of this
form of propaganda in the District has yet to be estimated.
Several voluntary societies included health topics in their Winter
programmes, and it is hoped that this practice will continue.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The Council is responsible for the Maternity and Child Welfare work
in this District, and in its endeavour to minimise the risks of childbirth
and to secure the healthy development of all children born or residing
in the area, the following measures are taken:—
Ante-Natal Clinics.
The first Ante-natal Clinic was established by the Council in June,
1931. Since then an increasing number of sessions has been required,
and these are now held from 2.30 to 4.0 p.m. at:—
(a) 69, Brighton Road, Purley, on the first, second and fourth Monday in
each month.
(b) The Methodist Church, Sylverdale Road, Purley, on the first and third
Wednesday in each month.
(c) The Baptist Church, Addington Road, Selsdon, on the second Wednesday
in each month.
It will be seen from the following tabular statement of attendances
that 214 new ante-natal cases presented themselves during 1937, as
compared with 243, 180, 143 and 114 in the preceding four years. This
suggests that in approximately 30 per cent. of the total births (live
and still) registered as belonging to the Urban District, the mothers
had previously been examined under the Council's Scheme, the figures
for the preceding years being 36, 29, 23 and 22 per cent.
32