Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Chiswick]
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taking their training at the Maternity Hospital, and this
further association of the work with that of the Maternity
Hospital is obviously of value.
Maternity Hospital—
Reference has already been made to the Maternity
Hospital on page 16, but it may be as well to mention here
that it was found necessary to close the Hospital for a short
period, owing to an outbreak of Pemphigus Neonatorum.
Fortunately, all the cases at the Hospital were of a mild
type, and no infant appeared to suffer in general health, but an
examination of the death returns for the year reveals the
fact that the deaths of three other infants occurring during the
year, were directly attributable to this disease. Two of these
deaths occurred outside the district in the Warkworth House
Institution at Isleworth, and one at the residence of the
parents.
Maternity and Child Welfare Clinics—
Reference to these Clinics has already been made, as
also the valuable part played by the Voluntary Helpers in
respect thereto, together with a full summary of the work
carried out. During Health Week, which was celebrated in
this district in the month of October, perhaps the most
useful thing attained was in connection with these Clinics.
Miss B. M. Heygate, Teacher of Housecraft under the
Education Committee, not only gave practical demonstrations
in the preparation of food, but by the expenditure of a great
deal of trouble and time, prepared and set out for the
inspection of the mothers attending the Clinics, samples of
food stuffs both suitable and unsuitable for the feeding of
infants. Miss Heygate attended the Clinics and gave valuable
advice, and answered the innumerable questions addressed to
her. The attention of the mothers was also directed to the
necessity of cleanliness, and the protection of food stuffs from
contamination by flies, etc.
The Health Visitors at each Clinic give short "talks"
of five to ten minutes to the mothers on some subject connected
with cleanliness, ventilation, clothing or other such
matters affecting the welfare of the children.
Arrangements are in vogue whereby mothers attending
these Clinics are enabled to purchase at practically cost price,