[Report 1960] / Medical Officer of Health, Northampton County Borough.

Maternal and Child Care {continued) Transferred to hospital . 3 Survived the first month of life . 21 Hospital or nursing home births . 139 Stillborn ... 24 Survived the first month of life ... 103 These figures shew that 124 of the 139 (89-2 per cent.) County Borough premature babies born alive survived the first month. Cots, bedding, blankets, hot water bottles, and clothing are available on loan for such infants nursed at home. Immunisation. The number of children under five years of age who completed the full course of injections during the year was :— Diphtheria. 170 Combined diphtheria and whooping cough . 34 Whooping cough . 52 Triple antigen (diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus) ... 1,169 364 of the above immunisations were carried out by general prac¬ titioners, 1,026 were dealt with at clinics under the maternity and child welfare scheme, and 35 were done at the School Clinic. Smallpox. In an attempt to increase the infant vaccination “ acceptance rate,” arrangements are made for children under five years of age to be vaccinated at the infant welfare centres. 266 children were vaccinated in this way. The immunisations carried out in the child welfare clinics are for the convenience of mothers and children and are additional to the ordinary immunisation clinics. Care of Unmarried Mothers and Their Children. Special arrangements are made for each individual case and the health visitors advise as necessary. {See also “ Admissions to Mother and Baby Homes ” on page 81). Nurseries and Child Minders. At the end of 1960, six daily minders (providing for 58 children) were on the register kept under the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948. Regular visits were paid by members of the staff. Distribution of Welfare Foods. The distribution of national dried milk, cod liver oil, vitamin A and D tablets, and orange juice is operated from a Main Distribution Centre at the Covered Market, Sheep Street, and also at twelve infant welfare centres. Two whole-time assistants are employed at the Main Centre and voluntary workers, with occasional help from the staff of this Department, carry out the distribution from the infant welfare centres. All ordering, accounting, etc., is carried out in the Health Department. During 1960, the following quantities of welfare foods were issued to beneficiaries :— MAIN OUTLYING COMMODITY CENTRE CENTRES TOTAL National dried milk (tins) . 22,007 7,313 29,320 Cod liver oil (bottles) ... 4,055 2,788 6,843 Vitamin A and D tablets (packets) ... 4,448 1,272 5,720 Orange juice (bottles) .. 38,186 23,879 62,065