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39
Sixty-five children under five years of age were referred to
hospitals for treatment (31 from the Infant-welfare Clinic and the
remaining 34 through other sources); 30 of the children were
admitted as in-patients. Forty children were referred to special
departments of London general hospitals, 13 to hospitals for children
and 12 to special hospitals, including orthopaedic, ophthalmic and
heart hospitals.
The practice of supplying dried milk, etc. at the Centre at cost
price, or free in necessitous cases, was continued during 1939. The
total dried milk which was supplied during the year was 4,211 pounds.
During the year fresh milk was supplied to expectant mothers
and nursing mothers and to children under 5 years of age. The
total fresh milk which was supplied during the year was 2,646
gallons. The following are the number of cases in which a supply of
fresh milk was granted:—to expectant mothers, 18; to nursing
mothers, 20; to children under 5 years of age, 105: Total 143.
In each instance, in accordance with the Council's Scheme, the
supply of milk has not been granted for a period longer than a month
at a time. The cases have been reviewed in every instance before
continuing or renewing a supply. In all cases in which fresh milk
has been supplied it has been stipulated that the milk supplied shall
be "pasteurized" milk.
(5) LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1929.
Under the above-mentioned Act it is the duty of the Council,
firstly, to perform the functions of a Local Authority under the Public
Health Act, 1936, Part VII as regards Child Life Protection, and
secondly, to make contributions towards the expenses of certain
Voluntary Associations (viz. two nursing associations and a day nursery)
in so far as they were providing maternity and child welfare services
within the area.
Child Life Protection.
The health visitors carry out the duties of Child Life Protection
Visitors under Part VII of the Public Health Act, 1936.
In carrying out the necessary supervision of foster-children the
Health Visitors made 181 home-visits, giving advice as to the proper
care and management of the children and ascertaining that the conditions
under which they were living remained satisfactory.
It was not found necessary to institute proceedings during the
year for any contravention of the provisions of the Act.