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Supply of Milk and Other Foods.—Schemes for the provision of milk and vitamin preparations have been continued at the ante-natal and infant welfare centre.
The fllowing table indicares the ex
tent to which milk, etc., has been supplied free or at a reduced price during 1947 and to 4th July, 1948:—
1947
1948 to 4th July
Dried milk (lbs.)
24
18
National dried milk (lbs.)
4,497
2,795
Cod liver oil and malt (lbs.)
4
-
Lactagol (tins)
5
6
Bemax (tins)
56
17
Adexolin (½ oz.)
4
-
Kalzana (tablets)
50
-
Vitamin C (tablets)
500
-
Virol (lbs.)
½
2
Ferrous Sulphate Tablets (packets)
52
26
Adexolin Capsules (packets)
4
-
The receipts to 4th July, 1948, from sales at cost price were £1,653 compared with £4,292 in 1947.
Supply of Ministry of Food Vitamin Supplements.—The ante-natal and infant welfare clinics were distribution centres tor the issue ot Ministry or food vitamin supplements,
There were other
distribution centres in the Borough and the amounts issued in 1947 and 1948 are shown below:—
1947
1948
Orange juice (Vitamin C) (bottles)
136,151
119,184
Cod liver oil (Vitamin A and D) (bottles)
24,619
27,652
Vitamin A and D tablets (packets)
6,268
7,262
The actual take-up in 1948 of these vitamin preparations, expressed as a percentage of the potential
take-up calculated from the numbers of expectant and nursing mothers and young children, is shown
below (figures supplied by the Ministry of Food):—
Orange Juice
Cod liver oil
A & D Tablets
13 weeks ending
13.5.48
52.50
36.72
46.28
13 „ „
28.8.48
57.86
37.41
43.52
13 „ „
27.11.48
51.49
41.12
48.63
Fuller use should be made of these vitamin supplements to avoid any risk of vitamin deficiency in
mothers and young children.
Nursing Homes.—All nursing homes in the Borough have to be registered and are subject to supervision
in regard to premises, staff and equipment. The demand for accommodation, especially for maternity
cases, has been heavy, and careful watch has had to be maintained to avoid overcrowding. At the end
of the year the nursing home accommodation in the Borough was 16 medical and surgical and 8 maternity beds.
Scabies Clinic.—This clinic was closed at the end of March and the number of persons treated
was 23. In 1942 treatment was given to 992 persons and the steady fall in cases of this irritating skin
disease is welcome. The epidemic has shown that, if sufferers will seek treatment early and all family
contacts submit to prophylactic treatment, the spread of the disease can be controlled.
Insulin.—The Health Department continued to supply insulin, at cost price, reduced price, or free,
according to circumstances, to persons suffering from diabetes who were not eligible to get such under the
provision of the National Health Insurance Act. During the year to 4th July, 319 vials were supplied
as compared with 576 in 1947.
Health Education.—Posters and leaflets issued by the Central Council for Health Education were
displayed and distributed at Welfare Centres, clinics, etc., and a special effort was made in regard to immunisation
against diphtheria. The booklet "To Mothers and Fathers" published by the National Association
of Maternity and Child Welfare Centres was issued free to mothers on the occasion of the first
attendance of the baby at the welfare centre. Medical Officers gave talks on the National Health Service
and other aspects of public health to various organisations in the Borough. The staff of the Department
in their contact with people in their homes and at clinics have continuous opportunity for health education
and the importance of this aspect of their work should not be forgotten.
Medical Examination of Staff.—For superannuation and other purposes members of the staff
of the Council were referred to the Health Department for medical examination. During the year 96
such medical examinations were carried out.
Health Visitors.—Twelve Health Visitors were employed and they acted also as School Nurses
and Child Life Protection Visitors. A summary of their work other than as School Nurses, up to 4th
July is given below:—
Attendances at infant welfare centres 490
Attendances at ante-natal clinics 340
Attendances at diphtheria immunisation clinics 105
Attendances at other clinics 31
Visits to expectant mothers—
First 129
Subsequent 16
Visits to mothers (post-natal) 3
Visits to children under 1 year old
First 864
Subsequent 1,624
Visits to children, 1 to 5 years old 2,431
Visits re stillbirths 19
Visits re infant deaths 20
Visits re inflammation of babies' eyes 11
Visits re infectious disease in children under school age 353
Visits re child life protection 152
Visits, miscellaneous 526
Visits—no access or person not at home 1,061
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