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41
INFESTATION BY HEAD LICE.
Ministry of Health Circular 2831.
The above Circular, issued by the Ministry of Health, draws
attention to action which might be taken by Welfare Authorities
within the scope of their present powers to assist mothers and
young children in the promotion of cleanliness and good habits in
the elimination of verminous conditions, and Medical Officers of
Health are instructed to include in their Annual Reports an
account of steps taken in pursuance of the Circular.
Suggestions Contained in Circular.
(a) That health visitors, midwives and all whose duty and
privilege it is to help and advise expectant mothers will
lose no opportunity of impressing upon them the importance
of cleanliness and freedom from vermin in addition to the
other matters affecting the health and welfare of themselves
and of the baby to be born.
(b) Talks to mothers at the Centres as well as home visits
should help in the educational side.
(c) Suitable combs might be provided, for sale or on loan at
the clinics.
(d) For severe cases of infestation, the preparation known as
Lethane Hair Oil is recommended.
(e) Each health visitor's district should again be classified,
and health visitors should give more attention to children
from 2-5 years and to homes known to be unsatisfactory.
(f) That health visitors should visit homes about tea-time so
that help may be given to the mothers in establishing the
right hygienic routine in washing, care of hair and teeth,
use of the lavatory, the taking of a proper morning meal,
etc.
Local Arrangements.
(a) Doctors, health visitors and midwives have been in the
habit of impressing the importance of cleanliness and
freedom from vermin on mothers attending the Council's
clinics and during home visits.
(b) Mothers are advised that the hair of young children should
be kept short.