View report page

special emphasis on diet; preparation for breast feeding; provision of suitable pram,
bedding and cot for the expected baby, and the care of the newborn infant. The number
invited to each session is kept small so that the atmosphere may remain informal and the
mothers are encouraged to ask questions and to discuss their problems. It is hoped shortly
to commence a similar course in premises in the south of the Borough so that the mothers
have a shorter distance to travel. Film strips are already being used at these sessions;
and following the recent purchase of a film projector it is hoped soon to add the showing
of suitable "live" films. At present no group teaching is done at the routine ante-natal
sessions. If it becomes possible for all the domiciliary midwives to do their ante-natal
work at the Municipal Clinic premises, and to assist the doctor at the Clinic, it may then
be practicable to arrange for the Health Visitor to give a short talk or demonstration.
Equipment necessary for teaching mothers how to bath a baby is available at the Clinics. A
magnetic blackboard and wax models of meals suitable for infants are available in the
department. Suitable leaflets and booklets selected from those produced by appropriate
organisations are available for distribution, while posters and demonstrations are exhibited
at the centres.
Arrangements for supply of Maternity Outfits.
These, together with an 8 ounce bottle of dettol, are supplied by the Local Health
Authority to all the domiciliary midwives (including the agency midwives) who issue them
to expectant mothers at the appropriate time.
Child Welfare - General.
The needs of the area are met by 21 infant welfare sessions per week held at the
Municipal Centres and at the South West Ham Child Welfare Centre at Avenons Road. By
agreement with the neighbouring Local Authorities mothers and children are able to
attend the clinics most conveniently situated to their homes. During 1952, 43 children
and 3 expectant mothers resident in neighbouring areas attended West Ham Clinics. It
is also known that 10 children and 19 expectant mothers resident in West Ham attended
clinics in other areas. The 21 sessions mentioned above include the special toddlers'
sessions which were commenced in 1950.
Toddlers' Clinics.
Up to the end of 1951 appointments were made for children to attend the toddlers'
sessions on attaining their second and third birthdays. Since 1st January, 1952, these
invitations have been extended to cover the fourth birthday.
During 1952 a total of 2,711 children attended in response to the invitations.
Of these there were 130 children whose general condition was regarded as unsatisfactory,
and 46 whose general cleanliness of body and clothing was found to be below a standard
of personal hygiene necessary for the maintenance of health. The following is a list of
the defects or deviations from normality observed by the doctor or described by the
mother, and recorded at the time of examination. The list does not differentiate between
the minor and major defects, but no defect was recorded unless it was considered necessary
to advise treatment or to keep the child under observation.
The classification of defect is based on the one prescribed by the Ministry of Education for School Children (in order
to enable comparisons to be made).
32