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put upon the milk were bronchitis, 1; convulsions, 1; and spina
bifida, 1.
An average of 89 infants and children (under 2 years) were fed
per week at the Depot, necessitating the distribution for the year of
79,137 bottles of milk mixture (4,678) gallons), whilst, in addition,
milk was also supplied as follows:—
1. Lambeth Hospital—using 7,542 bottles of milk mixture
(942½ gallons);
2. Nursing mothers—using 1,403 pint bottles of milk
mixture (1753/8 gallons);
3. Expectant mothers—using 73 pint bottles of milk
mixture (9£ gallons);
4. Children over 2 years of age—using 1,257 pint bottles of
milk mixture (1571/8 gallons);
5. Invalids—using 13 pint bottles of milk mixture (1 5/8
gallons).
A total of 5,621 gallons of milk and 215 1/2 pints of cream were
used during 1927, distributed in 86,679 bottles.
Attached to the Milk Depot is an Infants Consultations Centre,
where consultations for mothers, infants and children (under 5 years
of age) are held, with the Medical Officer of Health and one of the
Council's Official Health Visitors in attendance. The babies are
weighed and the weights and other details tabulated in the Register,
and those mothers and infants and children (under 5 years of age)
who require medical advice are examined by the Medical Officer of
Health, visiting at the homes being carried out by a Health Visitor,
as required. The Manageress also attends daily (Sundays excepted)
between the hours of 12 (noon) and 2 p.m. at the Depôt for the
purpose of distributing the milk and of also consulting with mothers
and others in regard to infant and child feeding and management.
The Medical Officer of Health can also be seen personally by mothers
by appointment at the Town Hall, or communicated with by
telephone, the Town Hall and the Milk Depot being in telephonic
communication.
As already stated, the inauguration and success of the
Lambeth Milk Assistance Scheme are reducing the numbers of
infants and children dealt with at the Municipal Milk Depôt; in
fact, the Depôt has served its day, and proved, during the past
20 years, of the greatest value administratively (especially educationally).
The decline in the Milk Depôt numbers was anticipated
when milk became available locally in the various wards and
districts of the Borough through the various Welfare Centres.