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8
DIARRHŒA AND EPIDEMIC ENTERITIS.
Deaths classified in the tables supplied by the RegistrarGeneral
as diarrhœa, epidemic enteritis, enteritis and gastro-enteritis,
have been included as "diarrhœal" deaths: as this classification
corresponds with that adopted in former years, comparisons made on
the resultant figures are valid.
During 1918 diarrhœa and epidemic enteritis accounted for 9
deaths of infants under one year of age, 10 others being due to enteritis
or gastroenteritis, making a total of 19 deaths from "diarrhœal"
diseases A further 21 deaths at ages from one year or upwards were
due to these diseases.
INFANT CENTRES.
The Borough Centre is held in the same place—228, London
Road—as the School Treatment Centre and the Spinal Remedial Class
and Sick Nursery. The Infant Centre work consists of two medical
consultations weekly on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. At the
medical consuliations there have been during the year 1918
approximately thirty-five children attending each afternoon The
progress made by the children is extremely gratifying in practically
all instances. Acute illnesses are not dealt with, being referred to
hospital or private medical men. Expectant mothers are also seen
and addressed as to their welfare.
Infant foods and, to a small extent, special foods for mothers are
obtainable at the Centre. These are supplied free of cost only to the
very poorest people. A charge is made to others, not exceeding the
cost price of the article.
Simple medicines are also prescribed and dispensed.
The total number of infants seen at this Centre in the year 1918
has been:—
New Cases 382
Total Attendances 3.54
The Centre was opened in the latter part of 1914. One of the
Lady Health Visitors acts as the Nurse to the Centre.
The Croydon Mothers and Infants Welfare Association
provides nine other centres in the town. The own provides the
nursing and medical staff for these centres. The work done
by the association has grown greatly and has maintained a high level
of efficiency. The co-operation between the Association and the
Public Health Department is of the closest and Pleasantest nature,