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I would refer you also to the graph on page 14 which shows
the dramatic fall in infant mortality rate over the years since
1900. The fact that there were nine deaths from premature birth
and ten from pneumonia, both of which in theory should be preventable,
indicates that there is still plenty of scope for the
teaching, not only in clinics to expectant mothers, but wherever
an opportunity arises, and to the potential parents and even the
potential grandparents, of the principles of nutrition, hygiene and
the maintenance of health. "Old Wives' Tales," hallowed by
tradition, have always hindered progress in maternity and child
welfare.
The work of the clinics continued normally throughout the
six months during which they were subject to the control of the
Brentford and Chiswick Borough Council.
The number of Clinic attendances and the number of home
visits paid by the Health Visitors corresponded closely with the
figures shown in the 1947 report.
Treatment for Mothers and Children was available at the
various specialised clinics which were all well attended and the
number immunised against diphtheria and whooping cough
increased.
The incidence of infectious disease during the year was not
high, there was no case of diphtheria, a moderate number of
cases of chicken pox, measles and mumps occurred. The severity
of the illness in these cases was not great and no deaths occurred.
1948 could be considered a year without epidemic disease and there
was no outbreak of food poisoning reported. Following a fairly
high incidence of poliomyelitis in 1947, it is satisfactory to be
able to report that only one case of this disease occurred in the
Borough during 1948.
Provision of care for the children of working mothers in
Day Nurseries was available to the same extent as in 1947. The
demand for this service continually increased and the waiting
list for Nursery places grew steadily.
Home Help and Ambulance Services continued to be used
to capacity and the laboratory service for the investigation of
suspected disease was provided by the King Edward Memorial
Hospital Pathological Laboratory, Ealing, W.13.
The new Chiropody service, commenced in 1947, and
restricted to needy adults and Old Age Pensioners, began to be
widely known and appreciated and the numbers of persons wishing
to take advantage of it increased rapidly.
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