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17 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.
Teaching of Mothercraft at the Centres.
An important part of the work of each Health Centre is its Mothercraft Section.
This is in special charge of one Health Visitor at each Centre, and holds its sessions in the
afternoons.
Expectant and nursing mothers and those with children under 5 years of age may attend, and
practical instruction is given in the care and management of children and in the maintenance of
health in the family.
This instruction comprises—(1) sewing and knitting classes; (2) practical lessons in the care
and feeding of infants; (3) lessons in invalid cookery, catering and simple home nursing.
Health talks are given regularly by the Centre Medical Officers and Dentists on such subjects
as the Care of the Expectant and Nursing Mother, Breast and Artificial Feeding, Character Training,
Infectious Disease, the Treatment of Minor Ailments and on General Hygiene and Dietetics, and
the Care of the Teeth.
From time to time, in order to stimulate effort and provide a test of progress small competitions
are held, and prizes given and the work submitted to outside criticism.
While mothers are attending Mothercraft classes their young children may be left in the
nursery attached to each Centre for this purpose, and are not only safely guarded by a competent
attendant, but learn to adapt themselves to the society of other children.
During 1931 all these activities were continued. 544 Mothercraft sessions were held, with
6,928 attendances of mothers, and 6,985 attendances at the nurseries.
The most interesting event was the winning by the Mothercraft Section of Health Centre (1),
9, Willesden Lane, of the Mildred Lister Silver Challenge Cup, which is the award for second place
in the National Mothercraft Competition promoted by the Association of Maternity and Child Welfare
Centres, of Carnegie House, 117, Piccadilly, London, and held annually in July. This competition is
open to affiliated centres all over the country. The cup was presented to Dr. Nicoll, the Centre
Medical Officer, at the National Baby Week Conference in Cardiff, and was later handed over to the
Council at a special session, to which the competing team of mothers was invited in order to receive
official congratulations on the honour they had won for their district.
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
Schools.—There are 37 public elementary schools in the district. Of this number 24 are
Council and 13 church or non-provided schools.
Included in the number of the Council schools are 2 special schools, 1 for mentally defective
and 1 for physically defective children.
The hygienic condition of the schools in Willesden is very variable. Many of the more modern
schools leave little to be desired as regards ventilation, lighting, warming, equipment and sanitation,
but some of the other schools fall short of the standard desirable.
Water to the schools is supplied in all instances direct from the mains of the Metropolitan
Water Board.
Adequate facilities are provided for the supply of drinking water for the scholars.