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44
mothers who attend there. With, indeed, few exceptions,
they come with the firm conviction that whatever help and
advice they require in connection with the health and management
of their children will be forthcoming at the 'welfare'
"The general condition of the children attending the
centres regularly is, on the whole, good. There are comparatively
few cases of rickets severe enough to be referred to
the Orthopaedic Hospital and the minor cases for the most
part respond well to the massage and ultra-violet light
therapy available at the centre. Cases of bronchitis associated
with dentition benefit considerably from treatment at
the Inhalation Clinic.
" I should have liked to see a greater number of children
between the age of two and school age. The advent of
another child invariably distracts the attention of the
mother from the elder child for whom regular attendance at
the centres would do much.
"The nutrition of the children in general is as good as
one can expect under present economic conditions. Again
it is the toddler who shows most the ill effects of insufficient
suitable nourishment.
"The milk grant to necessitous cases, comparatively
generous as it is, shows satisfactory returns in the improved
condition of the recipient, yet the line which must be drawn
between those eligible and those ineligible may be rigid
enough to cause some heart burning. The way of the wife
of the small wage earner is hard, when the difference between
unemployment benefit and earned wages is small. The expenses
incidental to the man's work, fares, etc., may leave
less money available for the family nourishment than there
was when he was in receipt of unemployment benefit, with
consequent deterioration in the condition of the children
concerned.
"Thursdays during November and December of 1936
were notable for inclement weather and it says much for
the expectant mothers attending the Hereford Street Maternity
Clinic that they so largely kept the appointments made
for them. It is satisfactory that they are so sure of deriving
sufficient benefit from their attendance as to make the effort
of getting there worth while, thus making possible the supervision
which is necessary for their well-being and safety."
a. r. pilkington.
TODDLERS' CLINIC.
In view of the change of Medical Officers and the continued
low attendance of children the special weekly Toddlers'
session was discontinued in November. As will be seen
from the following figures, during the nine months the Clinic