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It is impossible to assess the full value of this teaching.
Each mother in the group gains in knowledge, companionship
and confidence and contributes to the general air of friendliness
which is the aim of every branch of the Maternity and Child
Welfare Services.
Many friendships are formed during the period of waiting
and continue through attendance at Infant Welfare Sessions,
Vaccination and, later, Diphtheria Immunisation Sessions.
Some reflection on the result of patient education and
persistent explanation may be gathered from the figures published
by the Ministry of Food relating to the take-up of the Government
vitamin preparations. The mosit recent figures show the
percentage of the potential complete take-up accepted by the
public in each of 95 Local Authority areas in the London division.
Wembley's percentage of 71.16 for vitamin tablets (Expectant
Mothers only) is the second highest of the 95 Authorities; for
the cod liver oil 49.16% is the eighth highest, and 50.54% for
orange juice is the twentieth highest. Bearing in mind that quite
a number of people obtain similar preparations privately from
Chemists' stores in place of the Government issue, these figures
are gratifying. Members of the Wembley Voluntary Helpers
Association are largely responsible for the actual distribution of
these products during Clinic Sessions and thanks are due to them
for so untiringly carrying out this task.
5. HEALTH SERVICES BOOKLET. For some years a
booklet has been issued to the Local Medical Profession giving
information regarding the various Health Services available. The
services mentioned in this booklet are not all Borough Council
services, rather endeavour is made to collect together information
which may be helpful, reference also being made to the Ministry
of Health services, Middlesex County Council services, Voluntary
Hospital services and to those of other voluntary agencies. A
four-weekly bulletin has continued to be circulated ito the Local
Medical Profession giving the incidence locally of the infectious
diseases, together with a note on any topical public health matter
as seems appropriate.
6. As from 1st May, (the Central Public Health Laboratory at
Colindale, has been conducted by the Medical Research Council
on behalf of the Ministry of Health. This Laboratory has -been
used to the fullest extent, replacing the service given during the
War at the Middlesex Hospital. The services available at this
Laboratory are a most important asset to both Medical Practitioners
in the treatment of individual cases and to the Public
Health alike. The types and numbers of specimens examined
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