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BUSSELTON INFANT HEALTH
CENTRE
DOXXYBROOK DAY
Leaving Ilusselton at !) a.m. sharp,
we turn round the little Church corner
at Cape), taking the Goodwood lioad
through the hills and getting glimpses
of some of the attractive homesteads
and farms in this area. It is a very
winding road, but much itetter than
the Klgin road through which we must
travel on our way home.
Reaching Donuybrook at 10.20 or
thereabouts, we lose no time in setting
up the Clinic—this time in the dignity
of ti e local Court House, and' by 10.30.
our time for opening, there is usually
a mother ready waiting, probably
having had a toddler watching for
the car's arrival.
The regular mothers continue to come
in, informing Sister on such necessary
matters as to whether baby has1
tolerated the stronger mixture well,
or if he could take more, and so 011.
He is weighed and, if at the three
monthly stage, measured (for longer
babies frequently need more food' than
those short for their age). Petty ail
ments are talked over and if baby is
a year old his diphtheria immunisa
tion is queried, or perhaps mother
wants him immunised against whoop
ing cough at an earlier age, because ]
many children still die from this dis
tressing complaint, and so he is
referred' to doctor.
So the day goes on, perhaps a todd
ler brings a handful of spring flowers
from her garden, and stands up
straight and tall to be measured, or
shows sister the latest tooth just
through.
At this Ceutre the Road Board sees
a fire is burning, so that the tiniest
babes can be stripped' in the warmth,
and we have a fairly busy day until
.1.1.1, when we pack up and leave the
Court House to its legal life for
another week.
There is just time for a bath before
dinner and then by the fire one hears
of the dehydration of fruits, of brim
ming cider vats, and' boronia hikes.
After breakfast next*"day we slip
along £o stop by the wayside where
a Queensland' trained nurse, now a
farmer's wife, lives by the roadside.
A neighbour also waits here and it
only takes a few minutes to weigh
their very progressive babes and
advise ou their diet.- A few yards
further on is the Argyle Mill site, j
and another baby or two to ^see.
By ten we are at the Boyauup Hall
where a very enthusiastic circle of
young mothers meet each Monday to
admire one another's babies. Many
of these young mothers drive them
selves in. in heavy trucks or utilities,
and manage a young toddler as well.
A jolly young father arrived with the
Clinic washing—his baby too big for
the scales now—but his wife's interest
is as kefn as ever and- her help as
willingly offered.
By midday we have advised the last
mother on her baby's diet or progress,
and after a quick lunch in the car,
have packed up to travel our worst road
through Elgin to Capel, and' feel very
happy to pass a grader at work on
the way.
At 2 p.m. we open in the C.W.A.
R'ooms at Capel. In their usual willing
ness to co-operate in any move for the
country mothers' good. t£ey have
offered them the use of their room j
here at CapeL _ j
Two new mothers are welcomed to j
the Clinic, and at least one model Clinic j
baby shows amazing progress after a !
previous lack of supervision, and his
mother is very pleased with her efforts
at feeding him up. His colour is now
normal, and he has put on pounds in :
weight over a very few weeks. It Is I
for mothers like these that we appre- j
date the regular attendance of tbe i
more experienced mothers, to keep the j
Infant Health Service open in the I
country districts. j
At 4, p.m. we hand back the key to j
the Postmaster, and slip back to j
Busselton for Busselton's day
Wednesday. J
street. Busselton.
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