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86
I should like to acknowledge my thanks to the District Nurses
for the way in which they have collaborated with me in giving the
necessary local treatment I have prescribed for some of these post-natal
cases in their own homes. In several cases of ophthalmia neonatorum,
and in babies with a septic condition of the cord, where I have called
in their aid, the happiest results have also ensued from our collaboration.
In working amongst the post-natal cases I became more and more
convinced that what is really wanted in the treatment of some of these
debilitated mothers is a change of air and scene and a rest. Accordingly
on my representing this to our Maternity and Child Welfare
Committee, the Borough Council has arranged for treatment at the
Catherine Gladstone Convalescent Home at Mitcham, to which our
nursing mothers and babies can be sent for a change when necessary.
A charge is made to each mother according to her means to pay.
In this way part of the Borough's expenditure on this purpose will be
recouped. The Borough Council is not committed to an expenditure of
more than £50 a year for this purpose.
Our Dental Clinic has been treating the expectant and nursing
mothers for some months now. One is already beginning to see the
good results of the work there in the improved health of these women.
In many cases after the treatment is concluded they express to the
Nurse or the Health Visitor their gratitude for the treatment, and
say how beneficial it has proved to their health.
In conclusion, it is very gratifying to note in the RegistrarGeneral's
returns that the infantile mortality rate per thousand has
fallen in Hampstead from 81 in 1919 to 47·9 in 1920. I attribute this
largely to the excellent and thorough way in which the Milk (Mothers'
and Children's) Order has been administered in this Borough in the
last year. Under this Order of the Ministry of Health all necessitous
expectant and nursing mothers can have a daily allowance of milk,
either free or on part payment, and in very necessitous cases dinners
and food may be given. The amount of milk supplied in this Borough
to expectant and nursing mothers is a pint a day, either free or part
payment. Milk is also supplied to necessitous children. I have seen
the excellent results that have followed in the administration of this
Milk and Food Order in a large number of cases last year. The