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housewives; the daily search for food, the monotony and paucity of
rations, overcrowding, and absence of domestic help, all adversely
affect breast-feeding, and during the year it was noticed that more
and more mothers had to rely on artificial infant foods.
As recorded elsewhere in the text, the appointment of a third
Health Visitor was made during the year, which has enabled a large
expansion of the Maternity and Child Welfare Services to be undertaken.
On the 30th June the Corporation ceased to administer the Day
Nursery at Spencer Road, Mitcham Junction, and this institution is
now under the control of the local Education Authority, and continues
to provide a very useful service for mothers doing domestic or factory
work.
In March the Health Visitors assisted in the compilation of the
questionnaire on births undertaken by the Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynæcologists and Population Investigation Committee.
The report is expected to be published in 1947.
During the year Dr. C. A. Bentley, the Acting Medical Officer of
Health for the war years, was able to relinquish his post from the
1st March on my return from His Majesty's Forces. The Chairman
and Members of the Public Health Committee, together with other
members of the Corporation, have already recorded their appreciation
of the excellent way in which Dr. Bentley served the district in
the capacity of Acting Medical Officer of Health. I personally would
like to add a note to express my own appreciation of Dr. Bentley's
work.
Two other members of the Department, the Chief Clerk (Mr. R. F.
Burns) and the Senior Assistant Clerk (Mr. E. D. Evezard) also
returned after their period of war service with the Armed Forces.
In conclusion, I wish to place on record my appreciation of the
loyal service and valuable assistance I have received from all the
members of my staff throughout the year.
I have the honour to be,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
PATRICK J. O'CONNELL,
Medical Officer of Health.
July, 1947.
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