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43
The attendances at Infant Welfare Clinics, etc., are shown
below:—
(a) Attendances (including all infants under 5 except
those shown under toddlers) 18,546
(b) Consultations (included in (a) above) 5,376
(c) Immunisation 2,447
(d) Whooping cough 182
(e) Ophthalmic 144
(f) Sunlight 2.142
(g) Toddlers 924
Dr. J. A. MacLaren submits the following observations:
The general health of the infant under five years continues to
remain good and the standard of cleanliness high, when one takes into
account the difficulties the mothers have to overcome, and the overcrowding,
which still exists. The majority of children attending the
Infant Welfare Clinics, are well nourished and their physical condition
above the average, although a small percentage were found
to be suffering from subnormal nutrition, a large proportion of
children in this category had either attended the clinic for the first
time or had not attended for a long period. Under existing conditions,
the Health Visitors' work still remains very arduous, as many of the
mothers' problems and difficulties arise out of the housing and other
post-war conditions which are frequently almost impossible to solve.
Infant Welfare Clinics.
During the year, the Infant Welfare Clinics have been well
attended, though many mothers find it very difficult to attend
regularly as their domestic affairs still present many difficulties and
so much time requires to be spent in procuring the necessities of life.
Premature Child.
A special notification is sent to the Health Visiting Staff to
enable them to contact mothers as soon as possible, in order to give
her special advice regarding the care of the premature child. These
infants are frequently visited, until their general condition is satisfactory
and their progress normal. Council midwives also send reports
on the condition, feeding, and progress during the first 14 days, of all
premature infants, which are forwarded to the Health Visitors.
Sunlight Clinic.
Two sessions per week are held for infants under five years, who
are referred for treatment. This clinic is well attended and popular
with the mothers who show a definite interest in the clinic.