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The fact that so large a percentage of the deaths occurred within
the first month indicates that here is a period of life needing far more
attention than has hitherto been given. It is satisfactory to note that
the Borough Council is making some effort in this direction—having
already established pre-maternity clinics, which are attended by the
Dispensary Nurse, appointed a part-time lady doctor, a whole time
health visitor, and made arrangements for the provision of free or
assisted milk and food for expectant and nursing mothers and children
under five years of age.
The keenness of those engaged by the Council in work connected
with Maternity and Child Welfare has been well maintained during the
year. All are convinced of the great importance of the work, and
impressed with the need for further extensions and developments
The Act of 1918, as I pointed out in my Annual Report of last year, is
capable of wide interpretation. Section I. is as follows:—
"Any local Authority within the meaning of the Notification of
Births Act, 1907, may make such arrangements as may be
sanctioned by the Local Government Board for attending
to the health of expectant mothers and nursing mothers
and of children who have not attained the age of five years
and are not being educated in schools recognised by the
Board of Education, provided that nothing in this Act shall