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11
hitherto been possible. It is hoped also that some research,
directed towards the prevention of the ailments peculiar to childhood,
may be carried out by the staff of the institution.
Health Visiting.
The work of Health Visiting has increased, over 6,000 more
visits being paid by Health Visitors during 1925 than in 1920.
In particular, the appointment of four additional Health
Visitors will render it possible to attempt to control the nonnotifiable
infectious diseases, such as Measles and Whooping
Cough, which are responsible for so much ill-health, as well as
enabling the carrying on of the additional Clinics approved by the
Ministry of Health. Discussions with the London County Council
are taking place in order that arrangements may be made for
improving the supervision of children absent from school owing
to these diseases.
The work of the Health Visitors is greatly appreciated in the
Borough, and it is difficult to give any idea of their activities in
a short statement like this. Their work is, of course, connected
with every phase of Maternity and Child Welfare work, particulars
of which are set out in the body of the Report, but it is of interest
to note that it is estimated in the Report of the Departmental
Committee on the Causes and Prevention of Blindness, that 21
per cent, of all total blindness occurs in the first year of life, and
that one half of these are blinded from a cause almost entirely preventive—Ophthalmia
Neonatorum. During the past five years
not one child has lost its eyesight from this cause in Hackney,
so that it can be stated that on an average at least 30 cases yearly
have been saved by Health Visitors; and this is only one of the
many useful activities that could be quoted as instances of the
value of this work. Nearly 28,000 home visits were made in 1925
by the Health Visitors in addition to their other duties such as
attendances at Clinics and at the Town Hall.
Maternity Hospital Treatment.
The Agreements entered into in 1920 with the City of London
Maternity Hospital and Salvation Army Mothers' Hospital, have