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BIRTH CONTROL.
Cases in which advice on Birth Control is considered
desirable on medical grounds by the doctors at the Clinics, are
referred to the Croydon Mothers' and Infants' Welfare
Association Clinic in Croydon., an annual grant being made by
the Council.
HEALTH VISITATION.
Since July 1939, the Council has employed four Health
Visitors, who work under the supervision of the Medical Officer
of Health.
During the year 7,888 visits were paid by them, this
being 1,204 less than in the previous year, the reduction
being chiefly due to the large number of diphtheric immunisation
sessions at which they had to be present (86 at schools and 129
at clinics). The number of first visits to babies was slightly
less than last year, but the proportion visited, was about the
same, being 82% Visitation to cases of Tuberculosis also
suffered. On the other hand increased visits were paid to
ante-natal cases and cases of measles and whooping cough.
INFANT WELFARE CENTRES.
The six infant Welfare. Centres, which have been
established by the Council, were held as in the previous year,
and a recovery in attendances occurred, associated with the
improved position with regard to air raiding in the Urban
District. There, were no alterations in the premises used or
staffing arrangements, but 7 more sessions were held than in the
previous year. The number of new cases attending was 717
compared with 667 in both 1940 and 1938, while the total number
of attendances was 11,032, compared with 10,912 in 1940 and
17,038 in 1938. The Chief reduction on 1938, was in the number
of older children attending. The number consulting the Doctors
was almost the same, however, and taken, in conjunction with the
Toddlers clinics indicate that more children are being seen by
the Medical Officers than previously.
Of the children attending, 68 were referred to Hospital
for minor operations or other treatment, compared with 12 in
1940 and 41 in 1938.
TODDLERS' CLINICS.
The year under review was the second complete year in
which special toddlers' sessions were held, at which the Doctors
confined their attention to children from 2-5 years of age.
The number of sessions, 46, was 2 more than in 1940, but the
total number of examinations was 46 less. The reduction was
very marked in the number of primary examinations, only 164
being seen compared with 237.
DISTRIBUTION OF MILK. ETC.
While the introduction of the Government Scheme for
providing milk at reduced cost for children under 5 years of age
and ante-natal and nursing mothers has involved the distribution
of less milk by the Council, the Health Visitors and Doctors
have had to do a considerable amount of extra work completing
the forms required for this and other purposes by the Government.
The Government issue of Milk, together with the special
issue of fruit juices and oil to young children in the latter
part of 1941 were undertaken by the Milk Officer on behalf of the
Food Officer, special assistant being employed for this
purpose at the Centres and Food Office.
The Council has continued to supply additional milk
where more than 1 pint a day is considered desirable by the
Medical Officer and necessitous persons are unable to procure
the same through other channels. In this way 152 lbs. of dried