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financial burden so imposed on the Local Authorities, particularly
as a result of inadequate maternity hospital facilities in the Enfield
area, the Middlesex County Council agreed to accept the responsibility.
The number of mothers availing themselves of these
facilities was 42.
ORTHOPAEDIC TREATMENT
During the course of the year 28 children were found to be
suffering from orthopaedic defects needing treatment or observation.
The following are the defects from which they suffered:—
Ankle valgus 3
Flat feet 5
Bow legs 4
Bilateral intoeing 1
Knock-knee 8
Metatarsal varus 1
Flat feet and ankle valgus 1
Congenital deformity of toes 1
Slight talipes 2
Left Hemiplegia 1
Flat feet and Knock-knee 1
Four old cases were also kept under observation.
DIPHTHERIA IMMUNISATION
The campaign for the immunisation of children against
diphtheria continued throughout the year and 1,238 children under
the age of five years were so immunised.
On a child's first birthday, it is the practice to send him a
birthday card to invite him to attend at one of the Maternity and
Child Welfare Clinics, not only to be medically examined, but
also to be immunised against diphtheria. It is pleasing to note
that many of these invitations are accepted.
All children on reaching the age of 4½ years are invited, by
post-card, to attend a Maternity and Child Welfare Clinic to be
immunised or to receive a supplementary reinforcing dose.
In addition to the above, 280 children between the ages of 5
and 14 years were also immunised during the year.
Although this routine method of notification to attend the
Clinics for immunisation is important, the most successful
propaganda is found to be by personal advice and the Medical
Officers and Health Visitors are continually bringing to the notice
of parents the importance and the benefits to be gained therefrom.