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(b) In following up my visits and reporting as to
whether recommendations were being carried out, or
any improvement taking place in condition of delicate
infante, results of visits to doctors or hospitals,
and so on;
(c) Assistance with routine clerical work.
I frequently visited after them and found they had all
been very tactful in their manner and that their visits were
very well received. As the result of their assistance I was
able to devote more time to difficult cases. I am convinced
that it is the intensive work which we are able to do that
oounts—the frequent visiting at home and the regular attendance
at the consultation. It is gratifying in this connection!
to note the increasing use that is being made of the infant
consultation. The total number of attendances for 1913 was
1,408, as compared with 863 in 1912 and 460 in 1911. In
the Second Report on Infant and Child Mortality issued by
the Local Government Board in 1913 the following statement
occurs:—
"The visitation of infants and young children, and the
instruction of mothers as to the details of feeding and of
general hygiene form a most important branch of child
welfare work. The experience of many countries shows
that the maximum of efficiency of such visiting is reached
when the children can be referred to an infant consultation."
On the whole infant welfare work in Woolwich is carried
on under relatively favourable conditions compared with
some London Boroughs. There is but a small slum area
and there are many open spaces. One great advantage is
that most of the houses have gardens, and the people are