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43
I labour this matter of the Greenwich and Deptford Guardians;
as 1 have found them, they are one of the most humane bodies I have
met.
Infectious Diseases, Nursing at Home,—Very few of the major infectious
diseases are nursed at home. Of the so-called minor diseases,
such as measles and whooping cough, a few measles cases are taken to
the Metropolitan Asylums Managers' hospitals, but most are nursed at
home. Measles became notifiable in Deptford in September, 1922.
Cases are visited by the Health Visitors, and on their report the
Medical Officer of Health engages the services of a Ranyard nurse who
is paid by the Borough Council. We learn of whooping cough cases
through intimations from head teachers. The Health Visitors visit
such cases as their already extensive duties permit.
Midwives.—These are under the supervision of the London County
Council. There are some nineteen in the Borough, of whom five are
at the Municipal Maternity Home. No subsidy is paid to midwives
locally.
Clinics and Treatment Centres {see Table).—The Infant Welfare
Centres are held in halls let to us by different religions organisations.
There are two exceptions, viz., the Goldsmiths' Centre, held in a classroom
at the Goldsmiths' College, London University, Lewisham High
Road, and at the Princess Louise Centre, Hales Street. Until 1922,
the last-named Centre employed its own medical officer, but during
that year the Medical Officer of Health was appointed to carry out
the Thursday afternoon consultations. The Borough Council, which
also supplies two Health Visitors on Thursday afternoons, gave a grant
of £20 to the Deptford Fund to help this Centre. Excep tfor the staff
as described, this Centre is the only voluntary one in the Borough. In
the six Infant Welfare Centres there are voluntary workers whose
admirable work is prized by the Council and officials. There are
consulting rooms for the doctor at each Centre (except at Erlam
Road, where a portion of the room is curtained off). At this Centre,
consultation work is not easy owing to the noise. Further consideration
of this point is necessary.
Until 1922, one Ante-Natal Centre was held in the morning at the
Napier Street Centre. A second session was opened on Wednesday
forenoon in view of the increased numbers attending. At an early date
a third session will have to be faced. Dr. Hill attends from 10 a.m.