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41
routine medical inspection of children under five not regularly
attending the infant welfare centres, nurseries, or nursery classes.
The attendances were well maintained, in spite of evacuation; 585
new oases were seen, and there were 881 re-examinations, making
a total of 1,466 examinations during the year, an increase of 93
over last year's figures. The majority attended once during the
year, 26 per cent. twice, and 13 per cent. three or more times.
The children were seen by appointment, and it would seem that
there is considerable value in the fact that the clinics are held
regularly every week, because, even though it is unnecessary for
any one child to be seen frequently, the parents appreciate the
knowledge that they can request help from the clinic whenever
they need it, which often gives them more confidence in their own
ability to deal with their children during the rather difficult period
of rapid growth and development. Many mothers have mentioned
this, and it is perhaps) more important in war-time when mothers
have to shoulder so much responsibility during the father's absence.
The percentage of children found to be immunised was 83.
Of the non-immunised children the majority came for immunisation
after one or two attendances at the Toddlers' Clinic, where
there was the opportunity to remind them of the importance of
this measure and of the time and places of the immunisation clinics
held. The standard of development and nutrition was found to be
good. The distribution and frequency of the minor defects found
was almost the same as for 1943. In most cases the defects found
were of recent origin, and not serious in nature. Some cleared
up spontaneously, and in other oases prompt early treatment—e.g.,
for squint or otitis media—cured the condition before it had
become well established.
Attendances.
Centre. Sessions. Number Notified. New Cases. Re- exams. Total.
Lordship Lane 47 924 208 345 553
The Chestnuts 21 481 131 105 236
Park Lane 47 1,139 246 431 677
Total | 115 2,544 585 881 1,466