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90
Maternity and Child Welfare.
Notification of Births.
The birth rate for 1926 was 21.24. There were 7,183 live
births and 219 still births.
Number of West Ham Births: —
1922. 1923. 1924. 1925. 1926.
7,959 ... 7,803 ... 7,202 ... 7,017 ... 7,183
On receiving a notification of birth the Health
Visitor of the district visits the mother and baby
on the eleventh day, i.e., after the Doctor or Midwife
has ceased to attend: she continues to visit at intervals of
three months during the first year, of four months during
the second year, of six months during the third, fourth and
fifth years. These visits of course are only the minimum to
be paid: in cases of delicate or ailing babies extra visits are
necessary. In this way continued supervision of the mother
and child is maintained until the latter enters School and is
handed over to the care of the School Medical Service.
Advice is given, amongst other things on the hygiene of
nursing, clothing and bathing the infant: attendance at a
Clinic is recommended, and real stress is laid on breast feeding,
since the presence of so many well advertised patent foods
encourage artificial feeding.
Table showing how Infants are Fed in West Ham.
No. of Infants Breast and
Births. Breast Fed. Supplementary. Artificially.
Out of 2,997 ... 2,307 ... 415 ... 275
Clinics.
There are seven voluntary and two Municipal Centres in the
Borough. Here both mothers (nursing and expectant), and
babies are seen and advised. Sewing classes and health talks
are also given, and at some of the Centres malt and oil, Virol
or emulsion are supplied at cost price.
In October an Ante-Natal Clinic was started at the Silvertown
Municipal Centre. Co-operation between the Medical
Staff and the Tate Nurses is helping to build up a sound
system of supervision of both pre- and post-natal mothers.
Although the official opening of the West Ham Lane
Centre took place on February 25th, 1927, both an Ante-Natal
and Infant Welfare Clinic were actually started in October,
1926. The latter has been so well attended that an extra
session was commenced in January, 1927.
The services of a part-time Dentist will soon be obtained,
so that the children may obtain treatment before permanent
damage to teeth and mouth result from neglect of decayed
teeth.