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14
INFANT WELFARE.
MILK (MOTHERS AND CHILDREN) ORDER, 1919.
In accordance with the practice which has been in operation for a considerable
number of years, the Corporation again authorised the expenditure of a sum of
money for the provision of milk to necessitous nursing mothers, and dried milk for
necessitous mothers who were unable to nurse their own children. This grant was
not made as a direct result of public legislation, but was a voluntary grant made by
the Corporation as a part of its Infant Welfare work. The Miik (Mothers and
Children) Order, 1918, the forerunner of the one now in operation, came into force
in 1918, and gave authorisation to expenditure on these lines. The Corporation at
that time did not determine their original arrangement, but granted a separate sum
under the powers thus conferred. Experience, however, has proved the desirability
of meeting the expenditure incurred out of a common fund, and it has been decided
that the future charges in this connection shall be paid out of a single grant and
administered on lines conformable with the Milk (Mothers and Children) Order, 1919.
The amount of money authorised to be annually expended is £300.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
Very few comments are necessary with reference to the incidence of infectious
disease during the year 1920.
Diphtheria was prevalent to the extent of 30 cases as compared with 21 in .1919.
The number of Scarlet Fever cases was 37. Erysipelas showed an increase from
two to five, and there was one case of Cerebro-spinal Meningitis. No case of Measles
was notified, as compared with 18 notified in 1919. Chicken-pox was not so prevalent
as in the previous year, in the proportion of six cases to 13. One case of Ophthalmia
Neonatorum was notified. The percentage of cases removed to hospital was somewhat
higher than in 1919.
During 1920 cases of Small-pox were reported at different times in various
neighbourhoods. No cases were reported in the City; numerous contacts, however,
with outside cases came to my knowledge. These were visited and kept under
observation, and, where necessary, vaccination was advocated.
In each instance of notified disease a detailed examination is made of the sanitary
condition of the premises where the case occurred, and a summary of defects found
by the District Inspector is given on page 57.
No case of Small-pox, Cholera, Plague, Typhus, Enteric, Eelapsing, Continued
or Puerperal Fever, Anthrax or Acute Polio-myelitis has been reported.
Fuller information is set out in the tables appended.
NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.—In the following tables will be
found particulars of certificates relating to cases of infectious disease forwarded under
Sections 55 and 56 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and information as
to the removal of patients to hospitals, infirmaries, &c.:—