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28
The Borough Council early in the year gave instructions for the
Borough to be circulated upon the subject of the scheme for the supply
of milk to necessitous mothers and children under five, and the
Medical Officer of Health was empowered to put into operation a
scheme he had prepared. The Council further resolved that it should
be "left to the discretion of the Medical Officer of Health as to the
amount to be supplied, and as to the dealing with the applications
received." During the year the following amounts of money were
voted by the Council—£200, £25, £100, and £750. It was estimated
that the last-named figure would carry over until the first meeting of
the Council in January. In pursuance of Clause 8 of the Ministry's
letter of October 14th, a circular letter was sent to all medical practitioners,
nurses, midwives, and others, directing attention to the
Borough Council's scheme, which had already been advertised widely.
The number of families assisted has fluctuated, being affected by
the current price of milk and to some degree by economic conditions.
During June and July the number of families being helped dropped
to 17, while the highest number, 173, was experienced in December.
A remarkable rise in the number of applicants took place when milk
rose to l1d. and Is. per quart.