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20
The above figures disclose the maintenance of a
steady average of 80% visitation except, of course, during
1939/1941 when conditions imposed obvious difficulties.
Throughout the period "ineffectual" visits have
kept consistently at 15%, which rather leads one to draw
obvious conclusions that approximately 15'% of parents
are indifferent to advice on mothercraft.
The value of personal visits to expectant mothers
and nursing mothers is undeniable. The inculcation of
practical principles in mothercraft in the home by frequent
visitation cannot be adequately replaced Iby alternatives
such as dissemination of health teaching by
theoretical printed matter or radio. Future planning in
public health visualises the development of the Health
Centre, which may tend to centralise the activities of
the health visitor at treatment and medical inspections
with the doctor to the ultimate detriment of visiting
time—the individual will be encouraged to attend centres
and clinics, which will be all to the good provided the
personal contact of home visitation is not impaired.
The following is a report of one of the Health Visitors
on her impressions of War-time conditions: —
THE EFFECT OF THE WAR UPON HEALTH
VISITING AND THE HEALTH OF THE CHILD.
Health Visiting. District work results in
additional ineffective visits due to the mother having to
Ro out early for shopping, and also many mothers find
it essential to undertake occasional work to supplement
their Services' allowances.
The Health Visitor is received better on the district
than before the War as most mothers have some question
re milk, vitamins or query about the babe to ask. Propaganda
films and Press notices have educated the people
to some extent as to what the public health stands for.
Shortage of general practitioners results in the
mother making more use of the Health Services and
requesting increasing visits by the Health Visitor.
The Diphtheria Immunisation campaign is a big
task for all Health Visitors and is helping to strengthen
the Public Health Service,