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The increase in work during and following the September crisis
caused the original plans to be varied and the introduction of the scheme
to be postponed. Eventually, however, it was decided that early in
1939 the first session in each month at the four largest Centres would be
devoted to the supervision of children over 2 years of age, the children
being examined at least once a year by the doctor as near the child's
birthday as possible. For this purpose the doctors would be required
to attend an extra session per month at each Centre. Toddlers attending
the Old Coulsdon and Sanderstead Centres would for a time be seen
during the normal work of the Centre, special attention, however, being
given and records kept of each case.
The Provision of Milk and Specialist Treatment.
During the year 139 cases in which the parents were known to
be in necessitous circumstances and the children in need of milk were
provided with a supply of milk, delivered to their homes, free or at a
reduced price, the expense being borne by the Council. This was an
increase of 50 on 1937.
While, throughout the District the children are, generally speaking,
well nourished, and in many cases above the average development, there
are in addition at each Centre children who bear witness to the impoverished
condition of their homes. In the majority of these cases
the child has shown great improvement as the result of this provision
of extra nourishment. A few cases, however, have shown that the
provision of milk is not the only need.
Orthopaedic Treatment, Etc.
During the year 44 cases were referred to hospitals from the Centres,
4 being for orthopaedic treatment, 11 for the removal of tonsils and/or
adenoids, 9 for ultra violet ray treatment, 8 for circumcision, 5 for
massage, 5 for treatment of naevi, 1 for ear and 1 for skin treatment.
A number of cases were also referred to their own doctors for treatment.
These numbers remain low, however, thanks to the appreciation
of the fact that the Child Welfare Centres are not for the treatment
of the sick, but for the periodical examination and observation of the
apparently healthy child in order to detect any minor defects, or
detrimental tendencies, and for instruction on how to rear children
along sound lines.
Prevention of Deafness.
While the agreement with the Croydon General Hospital for the
treatment of cases suffering from, or liable to develop, deafness has
remained in force, no cases have had to be referred for such treatment
for the fourth year in succession. This would appear to be due to the
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