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born in 1952 were visited once a month in order to record the illnesses
experienced by that child each month until the child was one year
old.
This proved a very heavy burden indeed and entailed much
more work than had been expected, especially as the Health
Visiting staff was never at full strength. The work began on
1st January, 1952, and was completed by 31st December, 1953.
4. In September, 1952 we were asked to participate in a
special enquiry into the causes of prematurity, conducted by the
National Birthday Trust Fund. This entailed the visiting of
34 cases and completion of certain forms. This enquiry was
completed in June, 1953.
5. Information has been collected, for the Ministry of Health
and Medical Research Council, on the incidence of a special form of
blindness (Retrolental fibroplasia) occurring in very small premature
infants. All premature infants born in 1951 of a certain birth
weight, surviving more than two months, were visited and the
questionnaire completed for each child. Twenty-six children were
so reported upon. This was carried out in December, 1952.
6. Information is being collected for the Department of
Surgery, Guy's Hospital, at present on children who have never
received breast milk. This is a very small survey and does not
entail much work.
7. Since 1949 reports upon all pregnant women who have
suffered from a virus infection such as German Measles, mumps,
measles and chicken pox are being sent to the Ministry of Health.
This is a very small number and does not entail much work.
In the last few years our Health Visitors/School Nurses have
been engaged in many pieces of research work. Some of this work
has tended to harass our Health Visiting Staff overmuch and in
future such heavy commitments will not be accepted.