View report page

brought to the notice of parents. The following results obtained
from the Health Visitors' enquiry visits are interesting.
Of the total of 53 babies it was found possible to make visits
to the homes of 46, after information regarding the child's death
had been received. Of these 46, only 16 had been previously seen
by a Medical Officer or a Health Visitor of the Maternity and
Child Welfare Services of Wembley. The remaining 30 babies
died whilst still under the care of hospital, nursing home or
private medical practitioner and before the usual primary visit
by the Health Visitor had been made—the normal time for this is
during the third week following the baby's birth. In every case
investigated there was evidence that early medical attention had
been obtained and in only 6 cases was the fatal illness treated
entirely at home; one death was caused by an accident in the
home; in 8 cases were housing problems present; in 3 only was
the standard of home care and cleanliness assessed at less than
satisfactory. It seems safe to assume that housing and general
home conditions and care do not form a major problem regarding
the rearing of babies in this locality. The day-to-day teaching
persistently pursued for many years has, perhaps, achieved a
measure of success. There will probably, however, always be
many Varying standards of personal hygiene though the standard
attained is probably higher than was thought possible twenty
years ago.
An infant mortality rate of 23 for 1947 is certainly a figure
to be quoted with pride by the health visiting staff, whose work
brings them daily into such close contact with parents at times
of joy and of heartbreak. The work of health education can be
tedious and exacting and the workers are much encouraged by
evidence that their efforts are not in vain. Much remains to be
done and all efforts must be continued to bring about still greater
reductions in the death rate among children of all ages, and to
raise the standard of understanding as well as of physical care
given to every child in every home.
11. I wish to record our indebtedness to the Voluntary
Helpers at the Clinics who have given such excellent services in
innumerable and always so unobtrusive ways. They have continued
to arrange for the distribution of the Government's vitamin
accessory products, while their co-operation with all the personnel
of the Department has been the fullest and of the greatest value
and assistance.
24