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premises were not available, and partly because the health visiting
staff were temporarily so largely engaged on A.R.P. duties, and
because for a while, at this time, collections of people were discouraged,
infant welfare centres were, for a few weeks, run on very
different lines from their usual routine. Ante-natal clinics temporarily
ceased to function, ante-natal supervision being exercised by
the Medical Officer visiting the homes of the midwives at times at
which they had collected together some patients. With the release
of the staff to their ordinary duties, however, and the finding of
alternative premises, within the month 19 weekly infant welfare
sessions were being held and a fortnight later 9 weekly ante-natal
clinics.
Partly, no doubt, because there has been some exodus of the
population from this area, which has resulted in smaller numbers
coming to the clinics, and to a certain extent because in some parts
of the district it has proved impossible to find alternative accommodation
to replace that which was formerly used but is now not
available, the needs of the district are being met by a smaller
number of sessions than were found necessary in August. At the
end of the year, 21 weekly infant welfare sessions were being held,
these being three at the Baptist Church Hall, Wolseley Road,
Wealdstone; two at the Elmwood Clinic; three at St. Alban's
Church Hall, North Harrow; three at St. Hilda's Hall, Northolt
Road, South Harrow; one at Vaughan Road Spiritualist Church
Hall; one at Pinner Council School; two at St. George's Hall,
Headstone; two at the Chandos Pavilion, Stanmore; three at
the Streatfield Road Baptist Church Hall; and one at the Memorial
Hall, Harrow Weald.
Ante-natal clinic sessions were held weekly at Wealdstone,
Elmwood Clinic, St. Alban's Church Hall, Roxeth, Vaughan Road,
Harrow Weald, Stanmore, Marlborough Hill, Streatfield Road, and
Pinner; in all, ten weekly sessions.
Toddlers' sessions were held weekly at Elmwood Clinic and
Roxeth, and fortnightly at Pinner. In addition the birth control
clinic and the consultant ante-natal clinic were continued.
The same arrangements in regard to treatment continue in
force.
LABORATORY FACILITIES.
As in previous years, the examination of clinical material was
undertaken at the laboratories of the Clinical Research Association.
The Medical Research Council, in consultation with the Ministry
of Health, organised an Emergency Laboratory Service to augment
the existing facilities for bacteriological diagnostic work required
for public health purposes. An emergency laboratory was attached
to each of the several hospital sectors, that serving this area being
stationed at the Merchant Taylors' School under the control of
Dr. C. J. C. Britton. In a communication, the Chief Medical Officer