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advised for the prevention of physical ailments. Much interest
has recently been shown by psychiatrists regarding this aspect
of their speciality, but details of practicable measures capable of
application bv a local health authority are not easily formulated.
It seems reasonable to apply the lesson learned from the problems
of general health propaganda, viz., that the family is the
biological unit within which the mother is the most potent educative
force. It is the clinic medical officers and the health visitors
who impart learning to mothers with young children and who
have therefore the first opportunity of guiding emotional adjustments
between mother and child. Accordingly, the following
procedures were carried out during the year under review.
A series of lectures for Health Visitors was given bv the
Medical Director of the Croydon Child Guidance Council on this
subject of the importance of the early years in promoting or
preventing normal mental and emotional development, and social
adaptation. Special ante- and post-natal efforts were made to
encourage breast feeding using the technique suggested by Dr.
Waller, and emphasising the psychological as well as physical
benefits for the infant. Ante-natal mothercraft lectures also
stressed the importance of recognising emotional as well as
nutritional needs. Posters and pamphlets at Infant Welfare
Centres were made available, dealing with mental development
and psychological difficulties of voung children. A second anniversary
birthday letter was sent to parents asking them to bring
their toddlers to the Infant Welfare Centre specifically to discuss
behaviour patterns in the growing child.
Whether such measures are likely to be successful is too early
to judge, but the response from parents is sufficiently encouraging
to warrant continuing on these lines.
It is appreciated that such efforts deal with a verv small part
of a formidable problem, but it is a facet largely the concern of
the local health authority and for which this type of authority is
unique in having well-established facilities easily capable of the
necessary adaptation.
Mental After-Care.
On the recommendation of the Medical Staff of Warlingham
Park Hospital, the Corporation accept financial responsibility for
patients to stay at approved homes conducted by the Mental
After-Care Association.