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18
Child Welfare.
A printed leaflet pointing out early signs of disease, and the
dangers of delay will be given to enquirers.
VENEREAL DISEASES.
The campaign against these diseases is now being energetically
pursued. There are, however, two schools of thought, one is for
abjuring restraint and continence, moral teaching, early marriage,
and general educative measures. The other is for the general use
of such preventive precautions as will greatly lessen the risk
of infection. Quack treatment is forbidden and early treatment at
Venereal Clinics urged. A few local cases have been seen and
recommended to the evening clinic at the West London Hospital,
Hammersmith. Medical men in the district are also treating
patients on modern lines. Men under military control are getting
prompt treatment. These diseases should be made compulsorily
notifiable (in strict confidence) to the Health Authorities.
MOTHER AND CHILD WELFARE.
Under the extended scheme of the Surrey County Council, a
second Health Visitor was appointed for the Barnes side of the
Urban District. The Committee making the selection have been
unfortunate in not securing a really good worker, and a change was
made after 5 months. After a short interval a second nurse was
appointed, but broke down in health and had to resign. The result
has been that the school work and infant visiting in Barnes has not
been so well done as was expected. However, a fresh health
visitor has been appointed, and things will doubtless improve. So
far as Mortlake is concerned the work has gone on satisfactorily
Miss Williams has now worked in this capacity for five years, and
has done, and is doing, good work.
438 Births were registered, or 43 less than in 1917 Of these 51
were not notified by the doctor or parents, and had to be written to.
Mortlake 264 Births.
Barnes 173 Births.
Visits in this connection, and including children up to 5 years,
number 941 in Mortlake and 353 in Barnes