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interest in the progress of their babies. Industrial occupation
has not so far been a factor, but there are now indications that
married women are going into the munitions factories in
considerable numbers, and the effect of this on the welfare of
their children has yet to be reckoned with. The excitements
and alarms incidental to the country being in a state of war
have, without doubt, acted prejudicially on the well-being of
both mothers and children. I have not been able to obtain
direct evidence as to the results of alcoholism of the mothers
on the children, but there is little doubt that an increase in
alcoholism amongst women has to some extent influenced the
death-rate amongst infants.
In view of the foregoing it is well to be able to comment
on the starting of the ante-natal clinic at the Town Hall on
November 26th. We have now at last an opportunity of
advising the mothers and supervising their health during
pregnancy.
PUBLIC AMBULANCE.
51. The Woolwich Public Ambulance, for accidents and
non-infectious illness, was used 97 times, compared with 147,
127, 150, and 120 in the four preceding years. The
ing were the journeys made:—
To Guy's Hospital 15
Cottage Hospitals 17
Seamen's and Miller Hospitals 17
King's Hospital 1
St. Thomas's 2
Union Infirmary 19
Other hospitals 7
Private houses 13
Asylums 6