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(b) Clinical factors.
Effect of tonsillectomy, partial or complete.
Dental caries.
Effect of institutional treatment.
Observations of some physical signs found in rheumatism, e.g., sinus arrhythmia,
extra systolies, altered cardiac sounds, etc.
Record of work performed in 1927.
A few days prior to October 1st, a copy of the Kensington (Acute Rheumatism) Regulations
and details in regard to notification were supplied to all medical practitioners in the Borough, and
from October 1st to the end of the year the number of notifications received was 48.
The Rheumatism Supervisory Centre commenced work at the Children's Hospital temporary
quarters in St. Mark's Road on the 29th October and was transferred to the new Princess Louise
Kensington Hospital for Children on the 3rd December. Up to the end of the year nine sessions
had been held, the number of new patients presenting themselves was 26, the total number of
attendances at the Centre being 56. The Health Visitors made investigations at the homes of 43
of the 48 notified cases.
In view of the short time the scheme has been in operation, it is advisable to reserve observations
in regard to the work and the conclusions to be drawn therefrom until a later date.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
The Borough Council's Scheme of Maternity and Child Welfare work includes the following
amongst other activities:—
(a) Home visiting of expectant and nursing mothers and children by the Council's
staff of Women Health Officers.
(b) Co-ordination of the work of the voluntary maternity and child welfare institutions in
the Borough.
(c) The subsidisation of the voluntary infant welfare institutions.
(d) The provision of "home helps."
(e) The provision of hospital accommodation for infants.
(f) The provision of convalescent home accommodation for mothers and infants.
(g) The provision of home nursing for sick mothers and infants.
(h) The supply of milk and meals free or at a reduced price to necessitous mothers and
infants.
(i) The provision of a maternity home.
(j) Arrangements for the treatment of ophthalmia neonatorum and zymotic enteritis.
(k) The subsidisation of a massage and electrical treatment centre for cases of infantile
paralysis, etc.
(I) Addresses on health and the prevention of disease by a Health Lecturer.
(m) The distribution of pamphlets and booklets giving advice on various matters concerning
the welfare of mothers and infants.
WOMEN HEALTH OFFICERS.
The principal Maternity and Child Welfare duties allotted to the Council's Women Health
Officers are as follow:—
1. To visit the homes of all newly-born children amongst the working classes within
21 days after birth, and subsequently as circumstances indicate.
2. To visit the homes and make investigations in regard to still-births and infantile
deaths.
3. To visit and give advice to parents in cases of ophthalmia, zymotic enteritis and other
diseases causing deaths amongst infants.
4. To visit and report upon all cases of puerperal fever and puerperal pyrexia.
5. To investigate applications under the Council's Scheme for the supply of milk and
meals free or below cost price.
6. To arrange for the admission of women to the maternity home and women and
children to convalescent homes, etc.
These officers also attend at the Infant Welfare Centres in their respective areas on doctors'
consultation days in order to assist in the work and to co-ordinate their efforts with those of the
voluntary and salaried workers attached to these institutions.
The work performed by the Women Health Officers in 1927 in regard to Maternity and Child
Welfare is summarised in the following table:—