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7
During the year 1917, considerable progress has been made with regard to
the work done in connection with Infant Welfare.
This is due to the appointment of two additional Municipal Health Visitors
in the early part of the year, and also to the increased activities of the various
Infant Welfare Agencies working in the Borough.
Except where it is obviously unnecessary, all births are visited on the tenth
day, or as soon after as possible, and the mother is advised to attend a Welfare
Centre.
Birth Cards for these infants are then sent to six of the nine Societies for
the purpose of subsequent visiting.
If mothers fail to attend the Infant Welfare Centres, the birth cards are
returned for supervision and subsequent visiting by the Municipal Health Visitor.
Monthly, weekly or even daily visits are paid where urgently necessary.
Uniformity of method in the distribution of cards is maintained and records
are kept.
A notable step forward is the interest taken by various Societies in Antenatal
Welfare Work; classes and clinics for this purpose have been opened at
most of the Centres.
It is interesting to note that in spite of trying conditions and increased
strain, etc., during the past year, breast feeding has been fairly well maintained,
and though supplementary feeding with Nestle's Milk and other artificial foods
has been resorted to, often at an early date, natural feeding has fortunately, not
been entirely given up.
Visits for 1917 by Health Visitors.
Limehouse—
Births 821
Revisits 2,127
Total 2,948
Mile End—
Births 2,022
Revisits 771
Total 2,793