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Convalescent Homes for Children under 5 Years of Age.
Arrangements for convalescent treatment of young children
are made through the Invalid Children's Aid Association and the
Invalid and Crippled Children's Society. The children are all
examined prior to being sent away by one of the Medical Officers
for Maternity and Child Welfare.
Many more young children are now sent away than was
formerly the case; this increase would appear to be chiefly a result
of the larger number of children now attending Welfare
Centres in the Borough, whereby more are brought into touch with
such facilities as convalescent treatment. Many toddlers attending
the Welfare Centres for the first time are found to be underdeveloped
and ill-nourished, partly due to poor home conditions
and partly also due to faulty diet and management. Such children
respond rapidly to the regular healthy routine of a children's
convalescent home, and the result of a period of four to six weeks'
convalescence is remarkable. The benefit derived is permanent,
and one finds that the mothers themselves are anxious to continue
the regular training and habits acquired at the Homes.
All children under school age requiring convalescence are
referred to the Medical Officer of Health, who makes the necessary
arrangements with the two Societies. There is still great
need for a convalescent home for young infants under one year
of age.
During 1932, 219 children under school age were sent to
various convalescent homes, being an increase of 122 compared
with 1931. It is interesting to note how much greater use is now
made of these Children's Convalescent Homes since the extension
of the Council's Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme within the
last seven years.

Convalescence for Nursing Mothers and Infants.
During the early part of 1932 the arrangement already in
force continued, whereby the Council retained 2 beds at St. Mary's
Home, Birchington-on-Sea. Unfortunately the Committee of this
Home were obliged to close the Home to nursing mothers from
September 30th, so that the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
had to make other arrangements.
During 1932, 23 mothers with their young infants were sent
to St. Mary's Home, Birchington, with very beneficial results.
The mothers always expressed great satisfaction and appreciation
of the care and kindly attention received from the Staff of St.
Mary's, so that it was with regret on the part of the Maternity
and Child Welfare Committee that the agreement had to be terminated.
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