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CHILDREN ACT, (PART I), 1908.
The work in connection with Infant Life Protection has continued during the year along the
lines laid down on its transfer to the Local Authority in 1930.
Particulars of the Law relating to this work are made known by notices in the local press
from time to time, and information is also supplied at the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres,
and Public Health Department. All the Health Visitors are fully acquainted with the requirements
of the Law, and they promptly investigate and report on such cases as come to their knowledge by
verbal reports.
The Health Visitors paid 558 visits in connection with this work during the year, and many
of the foster-children were brought regularly to the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres.
One child died during the year. This child (aged 3 months) was taken to the Maternity and
Child Welfare Centre the day after he was received by the foster-mother, and was found to be marasmic.
Four days later he was removed by the grandfather on the advice of whose doctor the child was
admitted to Hounslow Hospital, where death took place after eleven days. Cause of death—Marasmus
Acute Enteritis.
When a foster-child removes to an address outside the area, full details are sent immediately
to the appropriate Authority; and any foster-child arriving in this area, whether it is reported to have
come to its parents or not, is visited to see that all is satisfactory.
A list is kept of approved persons who wish to undertake the nursing and maintenance of a
foster-child. No person is placed in this list until full details of her circumstances, etc., have been
supplied, and the Health Visitor has found the condition of the home satisfactory.
The interviewing of foster-mothers and other callers with regard to their difficulties and the
requirements of the Law, and other matters in regard to Infant Protection, involves an amount of
time which is out of all proportion to what would appear to be the total amount of work done.