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9
and the Ante-Natal Clinics which are housed on the ground floor
of the Nursery buildings, are seriously cramped. The release of
the upper floor from its present functions would give a welcome
opportunity to house the Clinics in more spacious quarters.
Although the infantile Mortality rose a little, due to an unfavourable
frist quarter of the year, the rate is maintained at a low
figure. That the rate can be further reduced is not disputed,
and the energies of the department are being continually directed
towards this aim; but, on the other hand the population of the
town and its character are changing. Increasing industrialisation
of the area is bringing new difficulties to overcome.
The Health Visitors are now responsible for all home visiting,
with the exception of visits to Tuberculosis patients. The nature
of their work is varied, embracing as it does, visits for the School
Medical Service; for Maternity and Child Welfare; Blind Persons,
and Foster Children, it is considered advantageous that these
different kinds of visiting should be done by one person only. The
town has been divided into districts and each health visitor is
responsible for all visits in her district. By this means, a succession
of different visitors to a house is avoided ; time is saved; and the
visitors have a higher prestige with their clientele, as they can
advise and help officially on a variety of Public Health matters
affecting family life.
Mental Deficiency.—The Surrey County Council, during the
year completed their preliminary arrangements for founding a
Colony at Chertsey and the Botley's Park Institution was opened
on the 30th January, 1932. A former Poor Law institution at
Bletchingley and another at Ottershaw have been adapted for the
accommodation of adult mentally defective persons. This has
relieved the situation to some extent, as Croydon is participating
in these provisions. There is still, however, a dearth of institution
beds for our cases.
The Council's small home for low-grade mentally deficient
boys, at 6, Morland Road, has been continued and its accommodation
has been fully occupied.
Orthopaedics.—This department continues to grow. Although
gross deformities are not seen so frequently as in years past there
is still an amount of avoidable crippling brought about in various
ways, sometimes due to disease, sometimes to accident. Slight
deformities may be neglected so that from being curable they