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entitled to a free supply of milk, and to a decrease cost in the price of milk.
Unemployment was very prevalent during the year, and the Health Visitors
informed me that the only food in the house on some occasions was the
municipal milk. If it had not been for this provision, many babies would
have had a very poor chance of surviving. When the mother has not
sufficient nourishing food, it stands to reason, that the breast milk must be
deficient in quantity and quality. The babies, as well as the children under
three years of age, who attend the Centres, are remarkable for their health
and strength, compared with those who were visited by the Health Visitors
a few years ago. Their physique is undoubtedly better, due to the milk
supplied by the Borough Council.
(6). Infectious Disease. There has been no decline in the
number of children suffering from Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria during the
last 21 years, but there has been a great reduction in the mortality from these
two diseases. Whether this is due to the fact that practically all the cases
are removed to the Hospital, and 'the patients have a better chance of recovery
than they would at their own homes, or because there has been a change in
the type of these diseases, I do not know — probably both. Although
Whooping Cough and Measles are not removed to Fever Hospitals, there has
been a vast improvement in the number of deaths. This may also partly be
due to change of type, but it is also due to the teaching received at the
Infant Welfare Centres. The mothers are beginning to realise that they
are not simple diseases which may be ignored.
Enteric or Typhoid Fever used to be prevalent, but it may be said now
that it has nearly disappeared. In 1901, we had 245 cases notified, and in
1902, 273. In the former year, 47 died and 33 in the latter. In 1920 we had
15 cases with 3 deaths, and in 1921, 20 cases with 2 deaths.
This satisfactory result is due partly to improved water supply, partly
to better supervision of food, and partly to better sanitation generally.
During the 8 years that Ophthalmia Neonatorum has been a notifiable
disease, 313 cases have been notified to us, but no blindness has resulted
thereby, and in only three cases has vision been slightly affected.
(7). Tuberculosis. The three voluntary Tuberculosis Dispensaries
and the staff were transferred to the Borough Council during the year.
It is intended to utilise the Dispensaries and the staff in future, more for
preventative, than for curative treatment. To enable us to do this,