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make, its educational value when the Medical Officers with the
knowledge of this particular work have obtained the confidence of
the parents, is enormous. It is impossible under the present
circumstances to develop the associated activities which have such
an important part in the educative value.
Ante-natal work is almost negligible at Hounslow and impossible
at Isleworth with the premises as they at present exist. There
is ample need for this work to be developed, as by careful
supervision of the mother during the latter months of pregnancy,
many tragedies to the family are avoided, and the welfare of
the child assured. There are not only the tragedies of loss of
life, but of the mother's impaired health, which results from an
unsatisfactory confinement, which are almost always accompanied
by continuous pain or discomfort, the existance of which often
entirely spoils the atmosphere of the home, in that the previously
healthy cheerful mother tends to become an irritable semi-invalid
on whom the cares of the family weigh unduly.
There are no facilities at present for the treatment of dental
defects in nursing and expectant mothers nor for any other
treatment for children under five years of age.
Home Help for Mothers.
The Home Help paid 184 visits during the year and her
work was found of considerable value.
In addition to her ordinary work, in her unoccupied time she
carries out cleansing of unclean heads, under a special scheme.
She was trained at one ot the London Cleansing Stations, the
Council provides the Sacker's combs and the necessary shampoo
and towels. A fee of 1/- is charged for each case. By this
means, any child who is excluded from school, can be back within
two days, and the cleansing is not carried out by any officer
of the department acting as such.
There have been certain parents who objected to going to
the Home Help, but a considerable number of parents have been very
glad of the opportunity. In one case the mother took down two
children over school age, and voluntarily paid a fee of 3/- in one