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54
while this is so, many departures from the normal are discovered
at the medical examination of children, and such cases, medical
or surgical, are referred to their own doctors for treatment, or to
the hospitals or dispensaries suitable for their conditions. Simple
ailments of infancy in children attending the Centres are treated
at the morning Clinics at the White House.
It is a significant fact that of the 13 children under the age
of five who were notified during 1927 in East Ham as suffering
from Tuberculosis, seven were cases referred by the Medical
Officer of the Infant Welfare Clinics to the Tuberculosis Officer.
On the other hand, young children under the age of five are
frequently being referred to the Infant Welfare Clinics by the
Tuberculosis Nurses from homes in which Tuberculosis has occurred,
for examination as Contacts by the Clinic Medical Officer,
and observation, if desirable, at the Clinics themselves.
This co-ordination and co-operation between the departments
named illustrates well the relationship that exists, wherever possible,
between the Maternity and Child Welfare Department and
other public Services in the Borough. It is also an illustration
of the value of the Infant Welfare Clinics in reference to the
detection of incipient illness in young children.
Tonsils and Adenoids.
When in children attending the Clinics operation for enlarged
Tonsils and the presence of Adenoids is found to be desirable, the
mothers are encouraged to choose hospitals on their own account,
and are recommended accordingly.
When, however, after careful enquiry into the family circumstances
of such a case, financial aid is found to be necessary, the
child is referred, at the cost of the Borough Council, to St. Mary's
Hospital, Plaistow, or to the Balaam Street Children's Hospital,
Plaistow, for the needful surgical treatment. During 1927, 26
children received treatment at St. Mary's Hospital, and 14 at the
Balaam Street Hospital, at the expense of the Council.
In such cases, on the day following the operation, a Health
Visitor visits the home, and gives the mother general advice as
to the after-treatment of the child. 104 visits of this character
were made by the Health Visitors during the year.