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50
"The increasing numbers in attendances at the
Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics show that these
Centres are fulfilling a much needed Public Service.
"As there still seems some apprehension among
the public as to the function of these clinics, I should like
to state that the Centres are primarily for Instruction
in Mothercraft and the Prevention of Disease.
"It cannot be too strongly emphasised that a child
who is really ill should not be brought to the Clinic.
The proper place for a sick child is at home in bed
with the home doctor in attendance.
"There is considerable evidence that the mothers
are beginning to understand the principles of Mothercraft;
but much more education is required to overcome
old fashioned prejudices, especially in the matter
of fresh air in the homes, care of the teeth, giving of
snacks and sweets at all times of the day and overfeeding.
"We like the mothers to bring the babies at an early
age: a month old is a suitable time. The babies are
undressed and weighed and passed into the Doctor's
room. There a thorough examination is made with
minute enquiries into the diet and management, and
the necessary advice given. Each new baby will
probably be seen by the doctor in the following week
and after that every fortnight until he or she is a year old.
Again the baby is undressed for the examination and
this time particular attention is paid to the bone development
and condition of the legs, head and abdomen :
for it is about this time that slight rickets is often first
noticed. After a year less frequent examinations are
made by the doctor, but the child should attend and be
weighed at regular intervals. The mother's attendance
often begins to fall off in the second year, it is
therefore very important that the Health Visitor should
have time to visit these babies regularly until school age.
"During the consultation at the Clinic the Health
Visitor has to be "everywhere at once." She receives
the mothers and watches that no child suffering from infectious
disease is admitted and no child with a contagious
skin disease weighed. She tries to get at least a glimpse