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11
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.—The number of cases of this disease notified during the year
"was 38, giving a case rate of 13-2 per 1,000 registered births. A private doctor attended at the
confinement in 18 cases, a midwife in 7 cases, and 13 cases were born in hospital. Treatment was
obtained at a hospital in 9 cases, at the Municipal Centres in 13 cases, and by a private doctor at
home in 16 cases. Complete recovery with unimpaired vision occurred in all cases.
The following table gives particulars :—

10 cases of inflammation of or discharge from the eyes of infants were visited by the Health
Nurses. All recovered without any permanent injury to the eyes.
School for Mothers at Health Centre 1.
The year 1930 has been one of great activity and may be considered very satisfactory. Owing
to the opening of Health Centre 3 at Stonebridge and the consequent re-distribution of districts,
a large number of attendants from Centre 1 area have been transferred to other centres. In spite
of this the numbers continue very much the same. The total attendance was 2,523 as against 2,616
in 1929. 224 sessions were held giving an average attendance of 11-2 per session as against 11-4 for
the previous year. There were 98 new attendants during the year.
Expectant mothers have availed themselves of all the opportunities and much appreciated
the advantages afforded them of learning to cut out and make baby outfits and other suitable
garments.
A great deal of work is done in the reconstruction of clothing, which is not only practical,
but extremely valuable from an economic point of view.
Many lectures and practical demonstrations were given. In addition to her own talks
Dr. Nicoll gave special instruction on the General Principles of Child Welfare, based on the
book " To Mothers and Fathers," published by the Association of Infant Welfare and Maternity
Centres, and from which the questions were set for the All-England Mothercraft Competitions. The
Centre entered for this Competition, which took place in June, with very gratifying results, obtaining
third place out of all England. The following is the result of the Competitions :—
Class 1.—Six Mothercraft Questions. Compulsory. Honours Certificate.
Class 2.—Records consisting of Ante-Natal records, a Health Visitor's record, Weight
Chart, and a comprehensive Medical Record. Three sets, one set for each
child of six months, 18 months and three years respectively. Honours
Certificate.
Class 4.—Household needlework. Honours Certificate.
Class 5.—Knitting. Honours Certificate.
Class 6.—Reconstruction of a garment. Honours Certificate.
Class 7.—Patching and Darning. 2nd Class Certificate.
Class 10.—Practical Cookery. Honours Certificate.
Class 13.—Home nursing. Honours Certificate.
In addition there was an optional class for singing and reciting. Each of the two entries
had an Honours Certificate, one with special mention for her dramatic talent. The National League
entertained the Competitors to tea at the L.C.C. School, Cosway Street, Marylebone Road, where
the Challenge Shield and Certificates were publicly presented during National Baby Week.
In December, the Chairman and three lady members of the Willesden Urban District Council
paid a visit to the Centre, congratulated, the mothers who had entered for the Competitions, and
emphasised the importance of Mothercraft. Thus a great deal of encouragement was given to the
section, and it is hoped that in 1931 they will do even better and bring home the shield.
The Nursery continued to do very good work. The number of attendances during the year
being 2,978, an increase of 440 on the previous year.
The children show a high standard of personal hygiene and clothing.