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of two beds for nursing mothers, forming the first floor of the
clinic building erected in Lodge Road by the Corporation, came
into use, and have proved a very valuable asset to the child
welfare work of the Borough.
22 mothers and 109 children were admitted during the year.
The average stay was 12.5 days in the case of the former, and 37.7
days in respect of the children.
H.R.H. Princess Mary graciously consented to open the
clinic and sick nursery block, and the ceremony of its formal
opening took place on the 18th May.
Early in 1927 a generous gift of a Hanovia quartz mercury
vapour lamp, with full appointments for synthetic sunlight treatment,
was received from Mrs. Lewis and the mothers and workers
at the South Croydon Infant Welfare Centre. This most welcome
gift will be of the greatest value in the treatment of children
attending the Sick Nursery and the Lodge Road Clinics.
(f) Massage Clinic.
The massage clinic for children under the age of 5 years was
transferred to the Lodge Road clinic at the beginning of 1926.
Three afternoon sessions were held in each week until June, when
the number of sessions was increased to 5. Children
suffering from infantile paralysis, various types of muscular
weakness, and debility after rickets or after one or other of the
acute illnesses to which young children are exposed, received
treatment at the clinic.
1,861 attendances were made at the massage clinic during the
year.
(g) Provision of Milk and Foodstuffs.
The Council is responsible for the issue of fresh milk at all
Infant Welfare Centres, whether voluntary or municipal, and
for the issue of dried milk and other preparations at the municipal
centre. The Croydon Mothers' and Infants' Welfare Association
arranges for the provision of dried milk, etc., at the voluntary
centres, and also provide mid-day meals ifor necessitous expectant
and nursing mouthers, on the recommendation of the medical
officers.
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