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78
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE CONSULTATIONS.
There are 18 Maternity and Child Welfare Centres, 16 of
which are conducted by the Croydon Mothers' and Infants'
Welfare Association and 2 by the local authority. A total of 23
sessions per week are held and at these a doctor and nurse on the
staff of the Health Department attend.
During 1942, 3,091 new cases under 1 year of age and 1,003
over 1 year of age attended for the first time; the total of attendances
of infants and young children from 0—5 years increased
from 64,322 in 1941 to 82,453 in 1942. Consultations with doctors
increased from 21,319 to 23,208. 49 expectant mothers were seen,
an increase of 3 on 1941, and a total of 334 visits to the Centres
were paid by them. The total of all visits to the Centres was
82,787, an increase of 18,027 compared with 1941.
The highest average attendance of mothers and babies at each
session was recorded at St. Oswald's (100.0), South Croydon
(95.7), Woodside (88.8), St. Andrews (84.5), St. Stephen's (84.1),
Selhurst (83.5), and Municipal (81.7).
Dental Treatment.
Maternity and Child Welfare Patients.
Expectant and nursing mothers and children below school
age are referred by Medical Officers attending Ante-Natal Clinics
and Infant Welfare Centres. Since the inauguration of the Municipal
Midwives Service applications for dental treatment have
also been received in increasing numbers from this source.
Expectant Mothers.
New cases inspected during the year numbered 532 compared
with 491 last year, and represent 89 per cent. of the total number
of mothers referred.
Of the above, 77 per cent. presented themselves during the
first six months of pregnancy, while the remaining 23 per cent.
were first seen during the later period of gestation.
The demand for treatment in this branch of the dental service
continues to increase as more and more cases are referred from
Ante-Natal Clinics or by Midwives. Every effort was made to