Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Teddington]
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are relatively few and often slender financially. It is
little wonder that people, often the most useful type of
people for the purpose, are reluctant to saddle themselves
with the financial load which attends the arrival of children.
If the State requires the services of future generations
of the middle classes, it is surely not unreasonable to expect
it to provide adequate assistance to parents, both in the
upbringing of children, and in their somewhat costly and
lengthy education, which is necessary if they are to be of
their maximum value to their country.
I should again like to urge my plea for a public
Swimming Bath. However, I do not wish my repeated
requests for this boon to be interpreted as suggesting that
Teddington has within its borders an abnormal share of
the world's "great unwashed" ! In addition, a safe paddling
pond for young children would be a cheap and welcome
blessing.
I am pleased to be able to report excellent progress in
the Maternity and Child Welfare Centre. The attendances
are becoming increasingly large, and the work has grown
to such an extent that we have had to institute an extra
clinic every two weeks, and we shall soon have to hold two
a week regularly. The additional work has necessitated
the appointment of an Assistant Health Visitor, and we
are fortunate in securing for this post the part-time services
of Miss Rickeard. This lady has been an honorary worker
for some years, and is therefore thoroughly intimate with
the work. The great success of the Centre is due to
Dr. Rose Turner, Miss Clarke, and the ladies who so
generously give their time and interest to the work. We
owe them all great gratitude for their efficiency.
There is a real need for Public Conveniences to be
erected at the Teddington end of Bushy Park owing to
the considerable number of visitors to the Park from a
distance. This is definitely the business of the Office of
Works and not of the Urban District Council, as the former
are responsible for the proper maintenance of the Royal
Parks.
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