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School for Mothers at Clinic 1.—The year as a whole may be considered satisfactory.
There has been a total attendance of 2,802, making an average of 11.72.
There has not been quite such a large number of Expectant Mothers, but a larger number of
Nursing Mothers have attended and availed themselves of the opportunities afforded them of learning
how to cut out and make baby outfits, also other necessary garments.
Bathing demonstrations have again been given, and highly appreciated, especially by the
younger mothers.
An Exhibition of very useful garments (made by mothers attending the needlework class)
was held on 3 successive days, December the 15th, 16th and 17th, respectively.
One could not help noticing, and many visitors remarked on the neatness and finish of the
work.
A cinematograph film entitled "A Dangerous Handicap," produced and kindly lent by the
National Health and Cleanliness Council, was shown each afternoon.
This was followed by a series of talks on " Life in China," illustrated with lantern slides, kindly
given and arranged by Dr. Maitland (Clinic Medical Officer). Everybody present enjoyed and much
appreciated the arrangement.
Unfortunately the space is so limited that it is impossible to do all that might be done.
The class-room was crowded out each afternoon. At one time as many as 75 adults (some of
them with babies) were in the room.
It was impossible to accommodate more, and several had to go away.
In the Nursery attendances for the year 1926 numbered 3,031. During the exhibition as
many as 40 babies were taken care of in the nursery, the space and accommodation being extremely
inadequate for such a large number at one session.
All the children shew a very good standard of clothing and personal hygiene.
School for Mothers at Clinic 2.—The total attendances at this Mothercraft centre with
109 sessions were 932 for mothers and 331 for children, giving an average attendance per session of
8.6 mothers and 3 children.
During the year 367 Expectant Mothers and 869 Nursing Mothers made 1,397 and 7,165 attendances
respectively for Medical Consultations at Clinic 2.
The session is from 2-4 p.m. Instruction in cutting out and making garments is given, as
well as a short Health Talk.
The only available room for the class is the Dental Waiting Room, 14 ft. x 13 ft*, when the
Dentist is in the schools, usually 3 sessions p.m. weekly.
Lack of space prevents the giving of practical demonstrations, grading the classes and increasing
the attendances.
School for Mothers at Lower Place.—There has been a total attendance of 392 for mothers
and 283 for children, giving an average attendance per session of 9.5 mothers and 6.9 children.
The premises here negative progress. They are small and so cold in the winter that from a
health point of view it is not altogether desirable that the mothers should attend with their children
on cold days.
At all the centres the keenness and interest exhibited by the mothers in the Health Talks
impress the Staff concerned with the urgent need of providing suitable premises for teaching mothercraft
so that this valuable means of health propaganda may be made attractive and carried out in
its various branches.
Subjects of Health Talks.—The following syllabus of Health Talks given at Lower Place
School for mothers during the 3 terms January-April, April-July, and September-December, 1926,
are submitted as a sample of what is being done at these schools.
LOWER PLACE MOTHERCRAFT CENTRE.
Health Talks.
January-April, 1926.
1. Teaching a baby clean habitsjfrom birth.
2. The importance of regularity with feeds, etc.
3. Teaching a child the importance of blowing its nose (with method of teaching a child
how to blow nose. (Diagram.)
4. Ailments which could be avoided if child is taught to breathe properly.
5. The importance of fresh air and sunlight. The advantages of sun on the growth
of a child.
6. Method of giving sun baths.
7. Why an Expectant Mother should attend an Ante-N,atal clinic.
8. Rules which should be observed by an Expectant Mother.