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147
this purpose is now the equivalent of one and a half. As a
set off against this, the services of a consultant medical officer
at the Home for Ailing Babies has been dispensed with.
The health visitors have been increased in number from
seven to eight. In this connection, however, it should be
noted that two of them hold the dual appointment of sanitary
inspector and health visitor.
The number of welfare centres has been increased by one,
namely, The Slade. Institutional midwifery has been
arranged for. Orthopaedic treatment of children requiring
such treatment has been provided. Dental treatment is now
available for expectant and nursing mothers and for young
children. Research work on the health of the pre-school
child has been started. Collective teaching to expectant and
nursing mothers is being given.
Statistically, the number of attendances at the welfare
centres has increased from 23,449 in 1920, to 27,128 in 1925,
with a corresponding increase in the number of persons
attending. In this connection it should be noted that in 1919
the total attendances were under 8,000.
The infantile mortality rate over the five years was 57
compared with a rate of 79 in the previous quinquennium.
The maternal death rates were 2.82 and 4.62 respectively.
These figures indicate, in some measure, the improvement
which has taken place in the health of the mothers and children
of this district during the last quinquennium, but they do not
express fully the benefits which have accrued. There is now
a much keener recognition of the part the individual plays
in hygiene; a greater knowledge of how to be healthy and
how simple health rules are, a greater appreciation of the
practicability of the health organisation. Mothers bring