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82
Home circumstances, unfortunately, in some parts of the
District are such as necessitate a considerable number of
mothers going out to work during the day, the children thus
losing a good deal of the care and attention they need and
would otherwise receive. This particularly is the case in
Child's Hill, which contains many laundries and wash-houses,
and it also applies to certain parts of the Central and West
Hendon Districts. Cases are continually cropping up of
parents who say that they cannot afford to get proper treatment
for their children, and undoubtedly there are many
instances where, owing to the head of the family being frequently
out of work or only able to earn a bare living wage,
the children do not receive proper medical treatment.
During the year several cases have come to my notice
where young children have been employed out of school hours,
and wherever possible I have endeavoured to get the parents
to see the harm this may do to the growing boy or girl. In
some cases pressure has been brought to bear on the parents,
and they have stopped the evil, although the few shillings
the children have been able to earn have no doubt been a
very welcome addition to a poor household.
REMEDYING OF DEFECTS.
The most important matter to my mind in connection
with the Medical Inspection of Children is the remedying of
defects when found, and a special effort has been made during
the year to this end. A periodical inspection of all children
who have been found to be suffering from a complaint requiring
attention has been carried out at the Schools, and the
progress noted on a special "B" card. In very many cases
it is gratifying to record that the instructions given have been
carried out, and the children have greatly improved in health.