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19
under certain conditions. It has been found, however, as was to
have been anticipated, that the Milk Depot would not be so well
patronised when the various administrative Welfare Centres got
into working order, more especially as, in connection with each
Centre, there is the Council's administration of the Milk Assistance
(Lambeth) Scheme, under which milk (as required) is now obtainable
locally by the mothers and others concerned.
At the Council's Maternity Home, during 1927 (calendar year),
358 mothers were confined at the Home (13 by doctors and 345 by
midwives). No case of puerperal fever and no cases of ophthalmia
neonatorum were officially notified, but medical assistance was
sought by the midwives concerned in 67 cases.
Ante-Natal Clinics.
No Welfare Centre is administratively complete without an
ante-natal clinic, and, in this connection, the Lambeth Centres
are suitably equipped.
Financial Grants in Connection with the
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme.
The principle of making financial grants to the various voluntary
Welfare Centres, out of the Borough rates, which was adopted by
the Council in 1917, is still being carried out, and grants have been
made, as approved, during the year 1927—the Borough Council
grants being dependent, automatically, on the Ministry of Health
grants and fixed (at present) at 75 per cent. of such Government
grants.
In the case of the Council's Maternity Home the Council pays
the total expenses in the first instance, and the Ministry of Health
repays to the Council up to 50 per cent. of such expenses (if
approved).
In addition, the Council makes special donations towards
inauguration (equipment, etc.), in connection with newly-started
voluntary welfare centres, or centres that have removed to new
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