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Care of Premature Infants,
In June, 1944, the Council appointed Dr. G.H. Newns as
Consultant Paediatrician. His services are available to all
local practitioners in respect of any infant up to the age of
twelve months.
In addition, the necessary special equipment suggested
in Ministry of Health Circular No. 20/1944 was obtained, and is
available on application to the Wimbledon District Nursing and
Midwifery Association, 28, King's Road, Wimbledon.
Infestation by Head Lice - Circular No. 2831.
The examination of the heads of children under the age
of 5 years has been carried oat as part of the Health Visitors'
normal duties both at the times of their visits to the homes and
also in the M tornity and Child Welfare Clinics. The standard
of cleanliness of children under 5 in Wimbledon has always been
high.
It has been the practice of the Health Visitors, who also
combine the duties of School Nurses, to pay particular attention
to the homes of school children whose heads have been found to be
dirty, and where there are children under the age of 5 years in
such homos their condition of cleanliness is closely supervised
in so far as the co-operation of the parents can be obtained. In
most cases the Health Visitors arc successful in obtaining the
good will and assistance of the parents.
A supply of steel fine-tooth combs is kept at the Health
Centre and these are available for sale or on loan. A number of
parents have taken advantage of these facilities. Whore it has
been considered advisable Lethane hair oil (384 - "Special") has
been used and a supply of this preparation is always kept at the
Health Centre,
The supervision of the hair of adolescent girls residing
in a house where children have been found with dirty heads is a
much more difficult problem. The need for advising these adolescent
girls is constantly kept in mind by the Health Visitors, and
where the mother and girls were receptive every assistance has been
given.
SANITARY CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE AREA.
Sanitary Inspection of District. - The following is a
statement shewing the number and nature of inspections made for
the year 1944:-
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