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As hitherto, the vast majority of notified births are visited by
the Health Visitors upon the notification being received. Any
cases requiring special attention are revisited periodically, and
mothers are given a cordial invitation to attend the Centres if they
so desire. These arrangements continue to operate in a satisfactory
manner.
From the table set out on the previous page, it will be noted
that the total number of attendances at the various Infant Welfare
Centres during 1938 shows no material alteration from the figures
relating to 1937. When, however, it is remembered that last year
represented the first full twelve months during which no mothers
from East Barnet were received at our Centres, it will be realised
that the work, so far as Southgate mothers were concerned, actually
shows a further increase. When one comes to consider the work of
the Pre-Natal Clinic, the position is even more satisfactory. The
total number of new cases attending the Pre-Natal Centre for the past
three years has been 194, 245 and 290 respectively; while the total
Attendances for the same period were 669, 841 and 996. The work
has thus shown a steady increase, a fact which must of necessity
exercise a beneficial effect upon this very important aspect of
preventive medicine. Attempts are still being made to bring the
facilities afforded by the various clinics more prominently before
the citizens of Southgate. In these days it seems strange that any
residents in the Borough, however new, should be unaware of the
fact that the Council provides a full and varied service for the use
of women and children under the age of 5 years. It would, nevertheless,
appear that some families are still ignorant of these facilities.
The number cannot be very high, but every instance of such lack
of familiarity represents so much sterilization of effort. For this
reason, we should not rest satisfied until we can feel reasonably
certain that the necessary information has been made available to
all residents within the Borough. It is also important that this
information should not be confined to those families who might
obviously be expected to avail themselves of the Council's services.
To-day, poverty and hardship are found in unexpected places. So
long as this is the case, our canvass should of necessity be universal.
Children Acts, 1908/32. —The following is a summary of
the work carried out under these Acts during the past year:—
Number of registered foster mothers 13
Number of foster children 14
Total visits paid 74
Work in connection with the above Acts did not present any
difficulties during 1938. The distressing occurrences reported in
30