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21
In some cases "Virol" is supplied to be given to the babies
with very satisfactory results, especially those found to be
suffering from Rickets and Malnutrition.
To encourage the mothers to take more interest a "Baby
Show" was held in the Town Hall during the year and a number
of valuable prizes provided out of a voluntary fund were given
to the most healthy babies.
About 250 who attended the Clinic were entered. The
judges, who comprised medical men and visitors, all remarked on
the excellent condition of the infants.
In those cases notified where it is impossible for Miss Kerr
to visit, a card of instructions on the care and feeding of infants
is sent by post, but with the appointment of more Health Visitors
it would be much more satisfactory for the homes to be visited,
to make inquiries into the condition of the health of mothers and
infants, and home life, viz., the sanitary condition of the
premises, overcrowding, lighting and ventilation.
It would be interesting to know the number of deaths of
infants caused indirectly by a very common and distressing sight
only too frequently to be seen in this Borough, viz., that of
children in charge of their mothers outside public-houses at all
hours of the day, being exposed to varying conditions of weather,
thus causing Bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.
The prosecution under the Children Act in a few cases would
be a protection to these children.
I have in the Isolation Hospital at the present time a child
only one year and ten months old who frequently asks the Nurse
for beer to drink, thus showing the conditions with which this
child is surrounded at home.
I should again like to express my thanks to the voluntary
helpers, Mrs. Athelstan Coles, Mrs. Clift, Mrs. Howe, Mrs.
Roberts, Mrs. F. Thomas and Mrs. G. Thomas, for their kind
assistance at the Clinic, also for the making of clothing, which
was distributed at the Annual Christmas Tree in connection with
the Clinic.