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131
visitation throughout this period. The work of home visitation
is one to which the Board attach very great importance
and in promoting schemes for maternity and child welfare
Local Authorities are urged as a first step to appoint an
adequate staff of Health Visitors.
So far as the recommendations of the Local Government
Board concern children between the years of 1 and 5, the
Infant Consultation is not now restricted to infants under
one year, and the mothers are invited to continue coming
once a quarter until the children reach school age. No
medical treatment is given and the advice given is mainly
hygienic and dietetic. Children needing medical and surgical
treatment are referred to local doctors, hospitals, the Invalid
Children's Aid Association, or the Tuberculosis Dispensary.
The staff, however, is not sufficient to continue the supervision
of all children up to school age. One Consultation
too, is insufficient, and one or two more are required in other
parts of the town. An outline scheme has been submitted
by the Borongh Council to the Local Government Board and
approved by them, which includes provision for an antenatal
clinic. The scheme embraces:—
1. An ante-natal clinic for expectant mothers. This
(might be carried out at the new premises of the
Home for Mothers and Babies, if some means were
discovered of gaining the goodwill of the local doctors
and midwives. Such goodwill too would facilitate the
use of the Maternity Hospital by oases requiring to
be attended at a hospital for operations or other1
serious reasons.
2. An Assistant Medical Officer to conduct the Infant
Consultations under the Medical Officer of Health.