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33
As the greater number of crippling deformities occur in
children before the school age, many being present at birth,
or occurring during infancy, it is plain that the closest
co-operation between the Public Health and School Authorities
is necessary.
Early treatment requires early notification of the crippling.
This is provided for in the case of infants and young children,
by the Notification of Births to the M.O.H., followed by the
visits of Health Nurses to the houses, until the child is five,
and also by the Infant Clinics. For the children attending
school there are the Routine Medical Inspections and School
Clinics.
The importance of Infant Welfare Clinics in any scheme
for the well-being of the community cannot be over emphasized.
Apart from work of a social and educational character, they
provide a means of medical examination of infants, which
otherwise would be impossible.
Ante-natal work has also its place, for although medical
science cannot speak with certainty as to the cause of
Congenital Deformity, there is no doubt that attention to the
pregnant woman and the child ' in utero,' by remedying or
providing for defects is a sure means of minimising the risks
of having children born crippled.
Having discovered, the defect, the provision of adequate
treatment has next to be considered.
Under the present position of affairs treatment of crippling
in children in this country is chiefly carried on by—
(a). The large hospitals.
(&). Certain voluntary organisations.
(c). In a few instances by Special Clinics or Hospitals
worked in conjunction with the County or Local
Authorities.
By far the largest number of children are treated at the
hospitals, in some cases under the control of the Authority
who maintains a certain number of beds for this purpose, but