View report page

40
Centres by the Ministry of Health, "The number of children
in attendance is not the only or even the chief index of
success."
There is some reason to believe that a certain proportion
of those who attend come in whole or in part for treatment
which they hope to receive for themselves or children,
Whereas it should never be forgotten that the maintenance
of health in the normal child is the primary object of the
consultation.
Also, the regarding of the Centre to some extent as a
convenient shop for the sale of cheap articles of infant
foodstuffs and garments, combined with the means of
spending a pleasant afternoon of gossip and tea, should
constantly be discouraged.
Pre-natal Work.—Seventy-four prospective mothers
have been registered on the books, and later have brought
their children to the Centres. This work would be very
much more satisfactory if a separate Pre-natal Clinic were
held. The attendance would be better, and the attention
given to the mothers would be more thorough. In this connection
attention may be called to the high proportion of
infant deaths occurring during the first month of life, referred
to earlier in this Report under the heading of Infantile
Mortality.
Illegitimate and Foster Children.—There are four illegitimate
and two foster children on the books, all in good
care.
Mentally Deficient Children.—There are five such on
the registers, and they are put into touch with proper
organisations as and when required.
Feeding or Infants.—Of the'children of nine months
and under, 63 per cent. were wholly or partially breast fed,
and 37 per cent. were artificially fed (weaned before the
fifth month.) Breast feeding is encouraged in all cases,
and the free supply of milk to necessitous nursing mothers
has been valuable in retaining or restoring the natural
function. Dried milk, cod liver oil and malt, etc., are supplied
at cost price, and these arc very much appreciated
by the mothers.