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7
Teaching of Mothercraft at the Centres.
This important part of the work of each Health Centre had to be suspended on the outbreak of war.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
A number of foster children have been evacuated under the Government Scheme or privately with
their Foster Mothers. At the end of 1941 there were 48 Foster Mothers and 72 Foster Children still in
Willesden. Three foster children died during the year— 1 from Diphtheria in the Willesden Municipal Hospital,
1 from Enlarged Thymus and one from Broncho-pneumonia, Post-mortems were held in these two latter cases.
At the end of 1942 there were 46 Foster Mothers and 79 Foster Children in Willesden. One foster child
died in 1942 from Gastro-Enteritis and Prematurity. The child was received by the foster mother on 28/8/42,
admitted to hospital on 31/8/42 and died 4/9/42.
NURSING HOMES.
Two new homes, providing accommodation for 12 patients other than maternity patients, were
registered in 1941. No new homes were registered in 1942.
The total number of homes on the register at the end of 1941 was 8, providing accommodation for
5 maternity patients and 35 other patients.
The total number of homes on the register at the end of 1942 was 7, providing accommodation for
5 maternity patients and 31 other patients.
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
Medical Inspection in the Schools, which had been discontinued since 19/5/39, was recommenced on
27/9/40 for the area of Willesden served by the Kilburn Health Centre— Kilburn, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise
and part of Harlesden. It was recommenced to a limited extent for the remainder of Willesden served by
the Willesden Health Centre on 12/2/41. During 1942 the work of the School Medical Service increased
considerably. Children continued to return in ever-growing numbers from the reception areas. At the end
of April, 1942, arrangements were made for additional school medical inspection sessions. Additional sessions
were also arranged in connection with the treatment of defective vision and throat, nose and ear defects, so
far as the specialists concerned could spare the time. Even so, the waiting lists for the treatment of enlarged
tonsils and adenoids have been long. On 28/8/42 the Board of Education issued Circular 1604 revising the
arrangements to be made for the medical inspection of school children. Only two routine inspections are
now required instead of three—(i) on or as soon as possible after admission to school ; (ii) in the last year of
school life— but increased attention is required to be paid to the children by the School Nurses.
These revised arrangements came into operation on the reopening of the Stonebridge Health Centre
in November, 1942.
During 1941, 2,380 children were medically inspected at routine inspections and 10,533 at special
inspections and re-inspections. This does not include the medical inspection of children about to be evacuated
to reception areas.
During 1942, 5,656 children were medically inspected at routine inspections and 16,736 at special
inspections and re-inspections.
Some dental inspections in schools recommenced on 15/2/40. Cleanliness inspections in schools recommenced
in April, 1940, after the release of the School Nursing Staff from First Aid Posts.
The Stonebridge Health Centre, which had been in use as a First Aid Post from the beginning of war
reverted to its normal use as a Health Centre on 16/11/42, the nucleus of a First Aid Post being retained in
case of need.
Scabies.— See report on Uncleanliness and Scabies on pages 10 and 11.
Uncleanliness.— (a) Willesden.— During 1941 cleanliness inspections were carried out in the schools
on 351 occasions. The total number of examinations and re-examinations made during the year was 23,935.
During 1942 cleanliness inspections were carried out in the schools on 417 occasions. The total number
of examinations and re-examinations made during the year was 34,613.
See report on Uncleanliness and Scabies on pages 10 and 11.
(b) Reception Areas.— In the Annual Report for 1940 the results of cleanliness inspections made by
the Willesden Council's Health Visitors in reception areas from 20th April, 1940, to 22nd March, 1941,
were shown.

Medical Treatment in Willesden.— During the year 1941, school children were followed up by the
Health Department on account of 5,755 medical defects and 1,939 dental defects. Of those defects found to
require treatment, medical or dental treatment was obtained for 5,107 and domestic treatment was obtained
for 1,067. 87 per cent, of the medical defects were treated, 68 per cent, receiving medical treatment and
19 per cent, domestic treatment, 74 per cent, of the dental defects followed up were treated. No record is
available of defects requiring treatment which were not followed up. 94 per cent, of the total medical defects
treated and 99 per cent, of the total dental defects treated were dealt with by the Education Committee.