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56
The practice commenced in 1934 of providing prizes for competitions
was continued in 1935, the following competitions being
held:—
1. Write a letter to a friend, telling her that your child
under 5 years of age had had Whooping Cough; tell
her the child's symptoms and how you treated the
child.
2. The best made knitted new garment.
3. The best garment made from new material.
4. The best garment made from old knitted material.
5. The best garment made from old material.
The garments were judged by Doctor McGregor, Assistant
Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch, whilst the essays were
referred to me.
There were altogether 97 entries for the competitions.
Although this number is low compared with the number of mothers
attending at our clinics, it need not be read as a failure. The fact
is, that during the period of the competitions those mothers who
entered, and most of those who did not, had to consider the garments
they had to make, and whether to enter them for the competition.
This meant they had to turn their minds to whether the garments
were hygienically satisfactory and made in a clean and workmanlike
fashion. The psychological effect of this, spread throughout the
District, is of great importance. It means that during Baby Week
the mothers of Enfield turned their minds towards the proper
clothing of their children. In addition to this, others went through
in their minds the symptoms of Whooping Cough and the care of
the disease. Whooping Cough is a disease that takes its toll of child
life practically every year in Enfield. It is to be hoped that the
thoughts turned towards this disease in 1935 were helpful during
the early part of 1936 when Whooping Cough was prevalent. The
previous year the subject was Measles, and I believe that the
lectures given at the Centres on this subject and the consideration
of the subject resulting from competition, have meant that mothers
had a better conception of the disease and how to treat it during the
epidemic in 1936.
CIRCULATION OF BOOKLET ON REARING OF CHILDREN.
The circulation of the booklet called "To Mothers and
Fathers" was continued during 1935, being sent to all mothers
giving birth to a child during the year. Approximately 1,250 books
were distributed.
On the cover of this book is printed the times and days on
which the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres are open.
I and the Maternity and Child Welfare Staff have received