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The Voluntary Nurses paid 2,646 visits to the homes of children
brought to the Infant Consultations; 4,403 attendances were made by
the mothers at the lectures delivered on Mothercraft and Infant Care,
and 818 mothers attended the Needlework Classes.
In addition, 321 massages were administered to children for varying
causes.
On the poorest estimates a very great deal of good is done for child
welfare at the Centre, and much excellent work is carried out by
educated, well-to-do voluntary workers, under the supervison and
guidance of the Honorary Physician, Dr. Ellitott.
The Ministry of Health has shown its appreciation by seeking information
from the Hon. Secretary rather than the Medical Officer of Health
as to Summer Diarrhœal Sickness in the Area. The number of cases
admitted to the Observation Wards during the year was thirty. The
children were suffering mainly from Malnutrition or the effects of
improper feeding.
Of the seven children who died, three were premature and rather
hopeless from the start; one had Congenital Syphilis, one died from
Meningitis, one from Zymotic Enteritis and one from Marasmus.
HOSPITALS.
The Local General Hospital contains 50 beds.
It was originally established for the treatment of diseases of children,
but now serves all the purposes of a general hospital. It is not subsidised
by the Local Authority, except to the extent that two beds are
retained for typhoid patients at a fixed fee, with a definite charge for
those sent in by the Medical Officer of Health.
There is no Institutional provision for Maternity.