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47
The attendances at Infant Welfare Clinics, etc., are shown
below:—
(a) Attendances (including all infants under 5 except
those shown under toddlers) 22,859
(b) Consultations (included in (a) above) 6,676
(c) Immunisation 5,556
(d) Ophthalmic 144
(e) Sunlight 2,502
(f) Toddlers 1,247
Dr. J. A. MacLaren submits the following observations :
Infant Welfare Clinics.
With the rise in the Birth-rate, there has been a corresponding
increase in the number of attendances at Infant Welfare Clinics.
Great interest is taken by mothers in Infant Welfare, and a greater
number of parents attend the Clinic for guidance and education in
infant feeding and food values, also Child Hygiene and the Care and
Training of Infants and Young Children. The average mother
appears to be coming more diet conscious, and shows more initiative
in finding out what to do and what not to do, and is usually very
conscientious in carrying out the advice given to her. The health
and physique of the average child attending the Infant Welfare
Clinics are good, especially under 18 months, as the child is under
regular supervision. After that age the attendances at the Clinic
are less frequent.
Toddlers Clinic.
Medical Examinations are arranged at regular intervals for
children between the ages of 2 years and 5 years.
The mother is invited to attend by appointment with the child
so that she may be consulted in order to obtain accurate and
valuable information regarding the child.
Medical reports are recorded on Special cards and transferred
to the School Health Service when the child is five years of age.
All defects or serious disease are dealt with in the following
way :—
1. At the Clinic (minor defects or ailments).
2. Referred to Specialist Clinic.
3. Referred to Hospital for treatment.