London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Enfield 1935

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Enfield]

This page requires JavaScript

57
repeated expressions of appreciation and thanks for this booklet.
It sets out in a simple form, in the course of some 90 pages, practically
all that a mother need know concerning the care, clothing,
feeding and hygiene of her children until the age of five years.
There is, in addition, a chapter for the ante-natal mother, telling
her how to care for herself in order to avoid such difficulties as are
associated with the carrying and bearing of a child, and a chapter
as well for the expectant father, setting out for him his duties as a
husband and a prospective father.
HOME HELPS.
The scheme for the provision of Home Helps set out a scale
shewing the charges to be made according to the incomes of those
who desired the benefit of this service. The scale did not include
the provision of a Home Help free of charge, and on every occasion
where it was thought that no charge could rightly be made the case
came up for consideration before the Committee.
In December, 1934, the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
determined that where the income of the family was 6s. per
head or less, after making various allowances for rent, etc., that a
Home Help should be provided free of charge. This new arrangement
has proved satisfactory.
The number of Home Helps supplied during 1935 was 52, as
compared with 30 in 1934.
CONVALESCENT TREATMENT.
The Maternity and Child Welfare Committee has no Convalescent
Homes nor Homes for Mothers and Babies under its
control, nor have any beds been reserved. Should it be found by
the Medical Officers at the Centres that a mother or baby needs
convalescent treatment a report is made by them. The family
circumstances are then investigated and the matter reported to the
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee, with a recommendation
from me that the patient be sent away for a period of convalescence.
During the year two children under the age of five years and
two mothers and their babies were sent to Convalescent Homes
under the control of private bodies.
CO-OPERATION WITH THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
The co-operation with the Head Teachers has been continued
as in previous years, and the Health Visitors have attended at
Senior Girls' Departments in order to demonstrate to the older
girls the bathing of a baby.
The following work was carried out:—
Miss Newbegin 3 demonstrations at Bush Hill Park
Schools.