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The report supplies information with respect to babies suckled by the mothers, and with
respect to the mode of feeding in cases brought up, wholly or in part, by hand—a matter in
regard to which almost invincible ignorance appears to be but too commonly displayed: the
more intelligent mothers, even, in many instances, concluding that the breast milk " does not
'satisfy' the child." have recourse to boiled bread and other starchy articles of diet, until
instructed as to the unsuitability of such food for young babies.
Many homes seen dirty on a first visit, were found in a better condition on a second call.
Neglect of babies, not often observed, was usually accounted for by the habits of the mothers.
The visits of the Health Visitor, with rare exceptions, were cordially welcomed; especially
by young mothers, who listened, intelligently and gratefully, to oral advice, and profited by the
directions contained in the Council's leaflet on "The Care of Infants." One of the most satisfactory
results was the diminished use of the long tube b.ottle, and the substitution therefor of
the tubeless bottle, although the latter is more expensive.
Nuisances observed were duly reported and abated; and altogether much good work was
done which, it may be hoped, will bear fruit in due season. The one thing to be regretted
is the inability of a single visitor to accomplish all that could be wished. Systematic re-visitation
would greatly enhance the value of the work.
Applications were received from the Kensington Health Society, the Board of Guardians,
and others, for the services of the health visitor, for giving lectures on the care of infants, etc.,
to district visitors and workers amongst the poor, and "talks" to mothers' meetings, and also to
thriftless women at the workhouse. The Public Health Committee gave sympathetic consideration
to the said applications, but felt it incumbent on them, in view of the amount of work devolving
upon that officer, to lay down, as a rule, that she could not be permitted to give her services for
the said purposes.
Appended is a short summary of the work of the Health Visitor—

PARTICULARS OF BIRTHS.
The efforts of Sanitary Authorities for bringing about a reduction of the high rate of
infantile mortality—i.e., the proportion of deaths under one year of age to registered births, were,
until recently, rendered almost nugatory through want of information of the occurrence of births.
Medical Officers of Health had long been desirous of obtaining such information through the
sub-district registrars, who for many years had supplied them with particulars of deaths. But it
was not until November, 1904, that these officers were authorised to supply information. As
was stated in the twelfth report for that year, the Local Government Board had then intimated
that "after comunication with the Registrar-General, they had approved of an arrangement for
the supply to local authorities, by registrars of births and deaths, of particulars as to births within
their sub-districts." Since the beginning of last year every possible effort has been made in this