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110
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
Illegitimate Births.
Of the 239 illegitimate births belonging to the Borough 130
have been visited, 22 were above the standard of visiting, 29
had removed before visit, 15 were born in Institutions and remained
there, eight died before visit, 12 were boarded out under
the London County Council, one was adopted, six mothers and
children went to homes, four wrong addresses were given, two
were born in hospital and died there, and 10 of the mothers came
to the Borough for confinement only. Of the 130 visited eight
died. In the majority of cases no assistance was required, as
arrangements had been made for the care of the children.
Maternity and Child Welfare Centres.
There are now eight Infant Welfare Centres in the Borough,
a Centre to serve the Fairfield Ward having been opened in July
at the Fairfield Mission Hall, Fairfield Street.
The premises occupied by the Balham and Springfield Infant
Welfare Centres being inadequate to accommodate the increasing
number of mothers who wished to avail themselves of the advice
and help provided, efforts were made to obtain more suitable
accommodation.
In July, the Springfield Infant Welfare Centre removed from
the Anchor Mission, Garratt Lane, to the Earlsfield Congregational
Church Hall in Earlsfield Road; and in October the Balham
Infant Welfare Centre removed from Zennor Hall to 91, Bedford
Hill, premises provided by means of the generous efforts
made by the Balham and Tooting Traders' Association.
Each Centre has a medical officer and a trained superintendent
; but all the work connected with the keeping of records,
the purchase and sale of food and drugs, and of clothing, is done
by voluntary workers, who are most regular and efficient.
Infants and children up to five years of age are admitted.
They are weighed at every attendance, seen by the doctor when
necessary, and reports concerning their progress are recorded.