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40
I am indebted to Miss C. Alice King, M.D., M.R.C.P., for the
following report on the Infant Welfare Centres:—
The work of the Infant Welfare Clinics during the
greater part of 1944 was spasmodically affected by the "flying
bomb" and, later, "rocket" phases of the war; but the clinics
continued to function, and were, I think, all the more appreciated
by those mothers who attended. The numbers of these
were at times much reduced, but after evacuation of the older
children had taken place, infants and those toddlers who
remained at home were brought fairly regularly for weighing
and inspection. The total number of new cases seen at the
clinics during this disturbed year was, however, little less
than during the previous year.
The average size and state of nutrition of the infants were
good, and the percentage of congenital defects or abnormalities
small. There were few instances where breast feeding was not
desired by the mother, though the wish or necessity to augment
the family income by part-time work sometimes interfered with
its completion. The continued provision of National Dried
Milk has been of great value. Housing conditions and the
necessity of sharing domestic amenities were also a. handicap
to some young mothers.
The Invalid Children's Aid Association was most helpful
in securing convalescence for a number of the older children
of the "under five" group, while the Tottenham Residential
Nursery at Hertford afforded a home for younger members,
especially in cases of temporary disablement of the mother of
the family.
The services of the health visiting staff were, as always,
of great value in ensuring that advice given at the centres
was, as far as possible, carried out at home.
There is still a considerable number of parents who do not
take advantage of the help offered at the Infant Welfare
Centres, but this proportion is, I believe, gradually decreasing.
TODDLERS' CLINICS.
Clinics for children between two and five years of age were
held regularly throughout the year, their object being to secure